Video sites like YouTube and Google Video are sloppy about allowing TV shows and other copyrighted material on their sites — and we all thank them for that — but take a hard line against anything R-rated. Now we know why.

A few days ago, video sharing site Veoh pulled its "adult" category — over 15 percent of its total content — and banned nudity in its terms of service. The obvious, but wrong, reason was that Veoh, aching for some legitimate deals, didn't want to be known as the porny YouTube. After all, YouTube and all the other video sites ruthlessly kill porn vids.

But the real reason came to light yesterday, when the Wall Street Journal reported that gay porn maker Io Group Inc. (aka Titan Media) sued Veoh for letting users share Io's copyrighted works of art. The period of infringement: June 1 to June 22, the time leading up to Veoh's buzzkill.

Veoh spokesfolks said the porn may return — as soon, I assume, as they can confirm it's all user-generated smut.

Veoh Cleans Up Its Act, But Some Users Cry Foul [Stupid walled-garden WSJ]
Veoh Faces Copyright Suit, A Test of Web Video [!%$@ing subscription-only WSJ]