Google Files Motion to Keep Innocence of Muslims on Youtube—News Roundup

Actor claims she can copyright her performance

UPDATE (2:45 p.m., 2/28/14): Google has filed an emergency motion to keep the "Innocence of Muslims" video online while it appeals the Ninth Circuit's censorship order.

Previously: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered Google to remove the "Innocence of Muslims" video from Youtube after an actor in the film, which sparked protests around the world, claimed that she could copyright her performance.

From CNET:

Google must remove a controversial anti-Islamic film from YouTube, after a US Appeals court on Wednesday ordered it to do so.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 that taking down the film did not constitute a prior restraint on speech—Google's argument for initially refusing to remove it.

The video, "Innocence of Muslims," has incited international outrage and sparked protests around the world. Its surfacing online also coincided with attacks in Bengazi, Libya, in 2012, during which a US ambassador was killed.

The film was initially cited by then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice as the cause of the riot in Benghazi that resulted in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in September, 2012.

Related previous coverage from Reason:

Scott Shackford on the "Innocence of Muslims" filmmaker not holding a grudge against the Obama administration despite the film being blamed for prompting the deadly 2012 protest in Benghazi.

Nick Gillespie on the reduced security at the Benghazi consulate ahead of the 2012 attack.

Matt Welch on President Obama saying that "those who slander the prophet of Islam" should be condemned.

More from Reason.com on "Innocence of Muslims" here.