UPDATE 1-Viacom lands video deal with Joost

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NEW YORK, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Viacom Inc. (VIAb.N)., engaged in a public battle with top Internet online video service YouTube, said on Tuesday it has agreed to offer its videos to Joost, the Internet video service created by the founders of Skype.

Hundreds of hours of programming from Viacom's MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures movies studio and BET Networks will be available to Joost users for free.

The deal comes amid a public quarrel between Viacom and Google Inc.'s (GOOG.O) YouTube over protecting copyright owners material.

Failing to reach a distribution deal, Viacom in February demanded the remmoval of over 100,000 video clips from YouTube that were uploaded by users without the company's authorization.

Top media companies Viacom, News Corp. NWSa.N and General Electric's (GE.N) NBC Universal have discussed launching a competitor to YouTube, but sources said earlier that differing interests have stalled plans. Traditional media companies are courting online users as viewers split their leisure time surfing the Web and digital media devices like Apple Inc.'s (AAPL.O) iPod.

Joost, which uses Internet peer-to-peer file sharing technology to deliver videos, was founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis and launched in January.

Warner Music Group (WMG.N) and TV production company Endemol have also signed deals with Joost.

((Reporting by Kenneth Li; Editing by Derek Caney; Reuters Messaging: kenneth.li.reuters.com@reuters.net; +646-223-6224; e-mail: kenneth.li@reuters.com)) Keywords: VIACOM JOOST/

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