YouTube and Copyright
I got an email today from YouTube stating one of my recent videos was rejected due to copyright infringement. I had posted a video last week of Widespread Panic covering Van Morrison’s “And It Stoned Me”. I really like this song by Van Morrison, and also dig Widespread’s cover of it, which I saw live at Uptown Theater here in KC.
Anyway, it was one the second video I had posted of some of video I have taken at several concerts I have been to so far, but the first copyright notice I have gotten. In all fairness, YouTube does state pretty clearly that any footage of concerts without the express permission of the copyright owners is prohibited. So, nothing I can really do.
The internet has become so congested with piracy this, piracy that, lawsuit here, lawsuit there. Recently, VIACOM sued Google (YouTube’s parent company) for a billion dollars, and a judge ordered Google to hand over every user’s information, how many times they watched any video, what they posted, etc. This is coming from a judge that probably knows very little about the internet. However, it is setting a pretty bad precedence on a user’s privacy. I have a feeling this type of thing is going to continue until the Recording and Movie industry can figure out a way to capitalize on the internet as an advertising and distribution medium. The only thing they’ve figured out so far is how to sue people. Seems to me like they’re trying to paddle upstream here.
For now, I’ll abide by the terms YouTube has set forth. Maybe someday we can spread the word of artists so that new fans can go out and see live shows, instead of pirating their mp3s off the internet and never knowing how great live shows are.
WEB SHERIFF
Protecting Your Rights on the Internet
Tel 44-(0)208-3238013
Fax 44-(0)208-3238080
websheriff@websheriff.com
http://www.websheriff.com
Hi Erik,
We hope you’re well and, by way of introduction, Web Sheriff represents Exile Productions and Exile Publishing in relation to the administration and protection of Van Morrison’s on-line rights.
We noted your post re’ your clips getting pulled from YouTube and simply wanted to attempt to clarify the rhymes and reasons for you … .. you might not be aware that, in order to synchronize ‘your’ footage with Van
Van’s music, you actually require a synchronization license from Exile’s and Van Morrison’s publishers / sub-publishers, which, unfortunately, is more complicated than you might imagine.
That being said - and having recently conducted a review of these matters in conjunction with Exile - we are very happy to be able to inform you that special, fan exemptions have been secured that enable many fans to post their personal / ‘domestic’ covers and tributes on YouTube, subject simply to providing an industry standard, courtesy credit … .. unfortunately, however, your bootleg recordings of public concerts of other artists performing Van Morrison covers do not fall into these special, fan exemptions and, as such, YouTube removed your clips.
We hope that this clarifies matters for you and many thanks for understanding and respecting the artist’s and label’s wishes.
Kind Regards,
WEB SHERIFF
Look at that, a response from the authorities themselves! I appreciate Web Sheriff for taking the time to respond.
As I stated in my post, I had posted a couple of concert videos, which I have now removed as well.
Guess I’ll have to pick up my guitar and bust out some Van Morrison originals! Triggs I am sure would do a much better job than me!