logo Sign In

Info & Advice Wanted: Someone Re-uploading my Videos to youtube

Author
Date
Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but as the title indicates, this guy has re-uploaded some of my comparison videos on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4BYIsaOiayHc6ogV4xzbg

My channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEyKHOhAZJpQvB6Y-2IhBw

Example videos:

Mine: https://youtu.be/tzUg74pcvc8

His: https://youtu.be/MUW7LfEkXeM

Of course, I want to report him and have the videos removed, but I have to affirm, “UNDER PENALTY OF PURGURY: I am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed,” which leads me to the question: do comparison videos meet that requirement, counted as transformative works that allow me to even place the claim to begin with?

youtube.com/c/StarWarsComparison

Author
Time
Post link

It looked like they were straight up, literally ripped from your channel, but just in case they weren’t, do you think they are?

If so, absolutely go ahead and report. If not, I’d say don’t do it.

Author
Time
Post link

Blackout said:

Of course, I want to report him and have the videos removed, but I have to affirm, “UNDER PENALTY OF PURGURY: I am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed,” which leads me to the question: do comparison videos meet that requirement, counted as transformative works that allow me to even place the claim to begin with?

Probably not, and it appears that you rescinded any rights you may have had by putting this in the description:

“I own nothing.”

[ Scanning stuff since 2015 ]

Author
Time
Post link

For your future videos, consider fleshing them out just a little. Add some sort of audio commentary, where you discuss the differences, title cards that introduce the comparison and that also include the name of your channel, maybe a burned in watermark and a closing title card with the channel’s name, thanking people for watching and asking them to share and subscribe.

I know it’s extra work but that way, your videos are definitely transformative and those additions will strengthen your ability to issue claims with Y.T. when others steal your clips.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
Author
Time
Post link

OK so what are your possibilities.

YOU are the legal owner of YOUR videos. YOU own the copyright to them. HOWEVER … YOUR videos contain footage which is copyrighted by LFL/Disney (or Fox). Do you have your videos monetized? You might be protected under fair use.

I would personally try to reach the guy personally and request that he takes down his videos (especially if he monetizes them), if he ignores your request I would send an official DMCA takedown request. However this might be tricky, he can send a counter request, which means you would be required to sue him in the end. And if this would get to court you might get into problems too.

Regarding comparison videos - I have a youtube channel with Star Trek comparison videos, all of them were claimed by CBS. I have actually contacted two real copyright attorneys, one of them claimed that my videos are 100% fair use, the other one claimed that my comparison videos MIGHT be considered fair use, but a judge would have to decide it in court, because I just like you didn’t provide any criticism, commentary, or parody.

Author
Time
Post link

Yeah, nowadays it’s best to watermark your videos because there’s a “views whore” epidemic going on. Everyone seems to be ripping videos from other channels and trying to get views. How many subs / views do you need to make $100?