Viacom vs. Google

I am watching, with interest, the current spat between Viacom and YouTube (now owned by Google). Viacom is suing Google over alleged copyright infringements by YouTube users who post snippets of Viacom video.

As reported in Huffington Post, Google wants to depose Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert as part of their defense.

Can Viacom be making a bigger mistake? Both Stewart's show and Colbert's show are really current event's shows. They themselves use video clips of news events in their satirical efforts. But this content has a very short shelf life. When is the last time you saw an "old" Colbert Report or Daily Show?

The satire fades pretty quickly. I can't believe there's ANY money to be had in syndication of these shows.

On the other hand, the YouTube video posts serve as FREE commercials for Viacom shows. They provide an Internet community with selected samples (usually really good samples) of the type of comedy these shows feature on a daily basis.

Viacom, why cut off your nose to spite your face?

I'm just asking.