YouTube, the subject of a $1 billion lawsuit, is set to introduce a new copyright protection tool that allows rights owners to automatically report piracy, according to latest reports.
The website's owner, search engine giant Google, claims the online tool will put an end to the legal battles surrounding the world's largest video sharing community.
"As that product rolls out, the issue becomes moot," Google chief executive Eric Schmidt told Reuters.
"We are automating that process to claim that content."
Last month, entertainment giant Viacom launched a $1 billion lawsuit against YouTube and Google for "massive copyright infringement" of its television programmes.
Viacom, which owns TV networks Nickelodeon and MTV, said in a statement: "There is no question that YouTube and Google are continuing to take the fruit of our efforts without permission and destroying enormous value in the process.
"This is value that rightfully belongs to the writers, directors and talent who create it and companies like Viacom that have invested to make possible this innovation and creativity."
It estimates that there are 160,000 unauthorised clips that have been viewed over 1.5 billion times.
