Google Execs Convicted In Italy

Back in 2006, four detestable Italian ruffians posted a video of themselves bullying a fellow student who happened to have Down’s Syndrome. Wow, impressive–you guys make  the Jets from West Side Story look like hard-ass criminals, finger snapping and all. They uploaded this brilliant piece of cinematography onto Google Video, which is where problems came into play for the three Google execs convicted in the case.

Google took the video down after receiving complaints and even assisted authorities in finding the boys involved, but this wasn’t enough for the Italian courts. The prosecutors argued that Google was negligent in leaving the video up for two months despite comments requesting it be pulled and the court agreed; three executives were sentenced to six months in jail.

It sounds to us like Google acted responsibly in taking the video down when it was made aware of it. Is a huge video service or website supposed to be immediately responsible for every word and image that’s posted on it? Come on Italy, is Mussolini back at the helm? [via Reuters]