More YouTube copyright discussion

Jeff_Smith wrote on 2/2/2008, 11:34 PM

The PiratesBay Closed Down thread got me thinking again about the YouTube situation. There is practically no enforcement of people using copyrighted music in their videos or singers covering songs or singing to karaoke tracks, remixing videos, etc. UMG has partnered with YouTube to actually allow their music to be used by Youtubers:
http://youtube.com/press_room_entry?entry=JrYdNx45e-0.
Seems the networks are the main enforcers on youtube but I don't see much from the music industry. You see YouTube Partners violating copyright. It seems there are alot of false DMCA's filed by sock accounts. To file a counter claim you need to give your personal information that sets you up for stalking. No real point here, just waiting to see how it all shakes out.

Comments

brianw wrote on 2/3/2008, 2:33 AM

Just to play devils advocate for a moment, but could it not be argued that You Tube is the electronic equivalent of someone humming the latest hit tune as they jog down the street? Or indeed an audience member singing along with the performer?
Always assuming that the YouTube content contained no commercial aim.
cheers, Brian

Kennymusicman wrote on 2/3/2008, 5:41 AM

FWIW YouTube signed a deal with the PRS-MCPS alliance which should mean that copyright holders actually get paid for what they're due with the content on youtube.

I'll believe it when I get my royalties, but it should happen.

craftech wrote on 2/3/2008, 6:36 AM

These discussions are always the same. Where does one draw the line? You Tube is filled with copyrigted material from news organizations as well as songs. Then the news organizations play them on the air (usually for political purposes) and don't even bring up the copyrighted issues. Take a look at all the Hillary Clinton bashing videos on You Tube. Most of them contain copyrighted material and most of them get played on the networks at one time or another.

On the other side there are Brave New Films all of which are also on You Tube and all of which contain copyrighted material. They don't play them on the networks, but they are still circulated all over the internet just like I am doing now in effect.

How many music videos are on You Tube? Are they all cleared?

So what do you do? Shut down You Tube? Politicians and their campaigns use You Tube as well as Hollywood Celebrities. So what is fair and equitable? Even if you define it you can't enforce it and some will be allowed unfair exceptions anyway. Chilling out and letting it be would probably work and be equitable.

John

bStro wrote on 2/3/2008, 7:39 AM

For what it's worth, I believe that the networks (or maybe it's Youtube itself) use software that scans Youtube videos looking for network bugs in the corner. This helps them seek out and, potentially, pull videos of network broadcasts.

Identifying copyrighted music in this way is more difficult, though companies are working on it.

You see YouTube Partners violating copyright.

Expand, please? What kind of "partners" and in what way?

Rob

Jeff_Smith wrote on 2/3/2008, 11:32 AM

I was referring to the YouTube Partner Program, anyone can apply for the revenue sharing but they are selective. YouTube hand picked the first batch of Partners when they started it. I would rather not single anyone out because I really don't know if they got the copyright clearance.
http://youtube.com/members?s=ms&t=w&g=5