Everyone was saying that the YouTube deal was a bad idea because of the copyright issues. Of course, Google knew about these issues as well. I can't help but think now that they had this in mind all along, to buy them and then duke it out with a major media giant over copyright laws. Surely, if they win this case, that would set some major precedence which might help other areas they are in as well.

The point that you are making was explained in detail by some fellow in a post titled "Maybe Google Wanted to be Sued: YouTube and Plan B" http://www.michiknows.com/2007/03/14/maybe-google-wanted-to-be-sued-youtube-and-plan-b/

The post is really thought provoking and got Digged, slashdotted and reddited.

Do give it a look

Thanks for the link. That's basically the idea that I was considering, but obviously more in depth.

It was a very good post.

I'm starting to think that e1ven was right:

http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=3930

Any links to good analyses of whether Google will win?

My understanding of the DMCA is that as long as sites promptly remove copyrighted materials they are not in violation of the law. Rather than arguments about "information wanting to be free", I think we'll see a lot of obtuse arguments about what engenders "prompt removal", etc.

On the topic of copyrights and the web, what I'd like to know is how Pandora was so successful in getting licenses for all the music they use.

Geez, pick another name.

?