Google is in behind-the-scenes talks with film and music studios trying to make newly acquired video-sharing website YouTube a gold mine, and not a lawsuit-generating black hole.

While some analysts questioned the sanity of Google buying YouTube in a 1.65-billion-dollar stock deal in October, Internet insiders and online rights lawyers contend that Google is shrewdly maneuvering on solid ground.

“The Internet offers real opportunities for media companies to reach a wider, global audience and to interact more directly with users,” Google said in response to an AFP inquiry on Friday.

“Google is always talking to potential partners about how to make the most of the opportunities provided by the net.”

Billionaire Mark Cuban was among those who predicted Google would be pounded with lawsuits by the owners of videos, films, music, and television shows in clips freely uploaded to YouTube by users.

Tags: YouTube, Google, Video, Films, Music, Television Clips