• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, September 5, 2006

Earlier this summer, the Walt Disney Company became the first large brand advertiser to turn to YouTube, promoting the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" on the video file-sharing site.

But last week, things weren't so cozy between the two companies after a rough cut of a sex scene between actress Marcia Cross and guest star Kyle MacLachlan from an upcoming episode of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" surfaced on the site.

ABC complained to YouTube, which removed the clip by the end of the week. In the past, YouTube has landed in hot water with TV networks for posting clips of programs, but usually after the shows have aired. Earlier this year, NBC threatened to sue YouTube after a "Saturday Night Live" skit appeared on the site. YouTube removed the clip, and in June, NBC forged a deal with YouTube to promote TV shows on the site.

It's not clear how the 'Desperate Housewives' clip made its way to YouTube, but some industry insiders speculated to the trade publication Variety that ABC itself might have leaked the clip deliberately to generate buzz for the show's third season. ABC denied those allegations. Several physical clues including time stamping indicate that the scene was from material still in the production process, although it appeared to have been edited.