YouTube Purges 30,000 Copyright Files

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:08pm

More to come?

The popular video-sharing site YouTube deleted nearly 30,000 files after a Japanese entertainment group complained of copyright infringement.


The Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers, found 29,549 video clips such as television shows, music videos and movies posted on YouTube's site without permission, an official from the group, Fumiyuki Asakura, said Friday.


The San Mateo, Calif.-based company quickly complied with the request to remove the copyright materials, made on behalf of 23 Japanese TV stations and entertainment companies, Asakura said.


Most videos posted on YouTube are homemade, but the site also features scores of copyright material posted by individual users. YouTube's policy is to remove such clips after it receives complaints, though some have suggested the startup eventually could be sued, especially with deep-pocketed Google Inc. about to buy it for $1.65 billion in stock.


Asakura said the entertainment industry group may ask YouTube to introduce a preliminary screening process to prevent copyright clips from being posted.


YouTube has been negotiating with leading copyright holders and reached agreement with several letting the Web site post copyright music videos and other content in exchange for sharing ad revenue.


The company agreed to deploy an audio-signature technology that can spot a low-quality copy of a licensed clip. YouTube would have to substitute an approved version or remove the material automatically.


You Tube

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:19pm

R.I.P.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:22pm

Soon there will be no reason to go there.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:28pm

And the moderators can finally get rid of that damn YouTube policy thread!

Updated On: 10/20/06 at 02:28 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:29pm

double post

Updated On: 10/20/06 at 02:29 PM

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:30pm

I know they're doing the right thing, but that's so annoying.

[JACXR71]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:34pm

Is this going to become another Napster thing, where a bunch of copycat sites pop up, thereby defeating the whole purpose?

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:39pm

Yes it is; which is why many thought the recent purchase by Google, to be very foolish. Time will tell.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:40pm

"Is this going to become another Napster thing, where a bunch of copycat sites pop up, thereby defeating the whole purpose?"

This always reminds me of the Rodeo monologue in "Talking With". The character says something to the effect of "People see that you are having fun with something and then try and find ways to ruin it."

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 2:45pm

Stagemanager!! I can't wait till that happens! I hate the Youtube thread. I still can't understand it, shouldn't it be about all copyrighted material?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 3:04pm

Well, the Liza show has now been removed. They are all comin' down folks.

[cturtle]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:40am

well, at least my montages are still there. watch em while you can, folks :)

[Plum]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:40pm

A copyright holder complained; files were removed. YouTube did that all the time well before it was bought by Google.

Now, they might start getting more aggressive about seeking out bootleg files instead of waiting for specific complaints, but this story doesn't freak me out.

[actor]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:34pm

It's only a matter of time before YouTube has only 5 or 6 boring homemade magic trick videos left. There is very little on YouTube that isn't copyrighted.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:19pm

A lot of Broadway stuff most be going.

I know some that isn't there anymore.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:38pm

Donna McKechnie's "Music & the Mirror" is still there. See it while you can! It is truly surreal.

[actor]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 3:11pm

The purchase of YouTube should be put in the Obituary section of the newspaper.

Question -- Does Google officially own it now?