A boyfight always
draws an audience

The District Judge overseeing Viacom's lawsuit against Google slapped both parties around for inappropriate behavior, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The judge's comment followed a move by Google requesting the hearing be made private. Google allegedly feared Viacom would disclose double-secret probation information. This is because Viacom did not tell Google what its presentation would be covering.

Viacom countered, saying informing Google of the presentation's contents — part of the discovery phase of the trial — would unfairly reveal the media company's strategy.

Presiding Judge Louis Stanton said Viacom was posturing and using discovery proceedings to argue its case and gain public favor.

He also denied Google's privacy request, saying the two parties had to work together before actually arguing the case.

Viacom is suing Google over the hosting of copyrighted material on YouTube.