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If the users behind the name EcoTotal thought putting up four episodes of '24' on YouTube before they aired on television was a good idea, Fox lawyers are ready to find them and show them the error of their ways.

If EcoTotal expected Google's noted privacy protection stance would extend to pirates using its YouTube service, let's hope they're better than Jack Bauer when it comes to escaping a sticky situation.

As InternetNews.com reported a couple of individuals had been fingered by YouTube and another video sharing site called Live Digital for performing the offending uploads of '24' as well as 'The Simpsons.'

Fox undoubtedly wants heads severed and delivered on a silver platter. Or at least fined, maybe jailed:

According to copies of the subpoena applications, Fox found this season's first four episodes of "24" on LiveDigital and YouTube on Jan. 8, a full week before they were to air for the first time in the U.S.

Seeing the episodes early means being able to do other things with one's time during the slots those '24' episodes would air. That means an impact on Fox's ability to charge for ad time if viewership drops for those shows.

TechCrunch pinch-hitter Marshall Kirkpatrick considered the impact of the information handover on other YouTube users:

I wonder how YouTube users will feel about the company’s disclosure of personal information. While there was a fair amount of concern raised when the subpoenas were issued, I’m going to guess that most YouTube users will tolerate or even support the company’s decision. Perhaps the rest will stop linking their personal information to accounts used in illicit activities. Privacy experts report that it’s the simple things that get most people burned.

Kirkpatrick also said that if the episodes of '24' were making the P2P rounds, as has been suggested in some quarters, then Fox's action may be just a "symbolic blood-letting."

Uploaders, better grab your Jack Sacks and get out of town.

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