Copyright Law Blog

Why Do Videos Get Removed From Youtube?

August 4th, 2009 at 12:39pm Under copyright infringement

Ever wonder why videos get removed from YouTube? We took a large random sample of videos from our YouTube index, and gathered some interesting statistics on what was removed and why.

At Webmunism.com we index over a million videos from popular video sharing site YouTube. Because videos get removed, we also check periodically to see which ones are still there. Out of scientific curiosity, we took a random sample of over 20,000 videos known to have existed in our index (20,811 videos to be exact).

Of these, 89 percent of the videos were still up, with 11 percent having been removed for various reasons.

There are 3 main reasons YouTube give for the removal of videos. We checked the 2,134 removed videos to determine what percentage were removed for each reason, giving the results below.48% – Removed by the user

This means the video was removed voluntarily by the person who uploaded it. There could be any number of reasons for doing this. Maybe they produced and uploaded a better version, or maybe they just got tired of it.41% – Removed due to terms of use violation

This means the video was removed at the initiative of YouTube staff, because it breached the YouTube terms of use in some way. It might have contained obscene, pornographic or otherwise unacceptable content. I think – but I can’t be sure of this – that it might also include some copyright issues. In this case it’s likely that the video was removed before a formal takedown notice was issued.11% – Removed at the request of the copyright owner

The dreaded DMCA takedown notice or its equivalent. This means that YouTube were served with a request to remove the video on the grounds of copyright, and complied with that request.

Clearly DMCA notices aren’t the most common reason videos are removed from YouTube, it’s more likely for a user to remove a video of their own accord. However, it’s still a statistic to give you pause, when you consider that (if our sample is representative) just over 1 in 10 videos that disappear from YouTube, do so as a result of copyright infringement notices.

If there’s enough interest, we may put up a page on Webmunism.com to track these statistics in (semi) real time.

Get Unlimited Quality Ipod Music Downloads

July 31st, 2009 at 12:42am Under music copyright

So, you got yourself a new iPod and now are pondering over the tempting option of iPod music downloads available on the web. Indeed, these sites seem like a treasure found at a few mouse clicks. But before you jump at the first website that offers iPod music downloads, do your homework and get to know your choices better.

Largely, all sites providing iPod music downloads are either free or paid. Naturally, the first ones sound more appealing, but only until you look at them more closely. In general, anything that comes free on the Internet should alert you and make you think twice before you decide to yield to all the too-good-to-be-true promises. The same goes to free music for iPod.

Music available on the web for free downloading has raised numerous issues regarding copyrights. And while a lot of these sites get banned or face law suits, new ones pop up almost every day. Of course, it is up to you to what extent you are ready to go, being aware that you are violating the law, but in most cases the risk you take is not worth it.

Free iPod music downloads often come in pathetic quality, many songs are incomplete and the downloading process takes ages. Should you have any problems with the site, there is no customer support to help you. But this is still not the worst thing about free music sites – any file you download from them may expose your computer to adware, spyware and viruses. There is simply no responsibility and no means to check each music file that is uploaded on the website, because the majority or all of them are shared by other users.

The only advantage of the sites offering free iPod music downloads is that they are used as a platform for aspiring singers and musicians to introduce their talent to the world. In this case you have no problems with copyright, because this music is shared by the authors themselves.

Don’t feel disappointed though. Quality iPod music downloads are very much available, and the cost is not a problem for the majority of folks, even students and teenagers. Though the most popular website must be iTune, it charges per download, and the overall amount can add up quickly. As an alternative, there are websites, which give you an access to unlimited iPod music downloads for a one-time membership fee or a yearly subscription.

Rest assured, these sites are legal, secure for your PC and normally provide you with free software for file format conversion (just check to ensure it is compatible with your computer). The selection of songs is virtually unlimited and all the latest hits as well as less known pieces are easily researchable. For any music lover with a bit of common sense it becomes obvious that unlimited iPod music downloads at a price of 2-3 regular CDs is an awesome deal, worth every cent of it.

Why not start transferring the latest album from my blog to your iPod?

On Youtube How Can I Make A Music Video With Lyrics Without Getting A Copyright Infringement Notice?

July 18th, 2009 at 04:27am Under copyright infringement

i made a video and i got a copyright infringement notice for using the company’s music video.
if i put no copyright infringement intended in the description does that pardon me from using this?

If I Record A Video Of Me Playing Runescape And Post It Online, Am I Violating A Copyright Law?

July 16th, 2009 at 04:27pm Under copyright law

I was playing Runescape and I found that a macroer was abusing a bug in Jagex’s system to get lots of genie random events. I shot a video of it with Hypercam2 and I put it on google video so I could chow people and find out what was going on with this guy. I just recieved an email today that says the video has been taken down because it is a copyright violation. I did not add music or anything. I only shot the video, and put it online without adding or taking anything away from it. Can I file a complaint to google about this or is it against copyright law to make a video of runescape without Jagex’s permission? I have dozens of other Runescape videos online but none of them have been taken down for copyright law. I am very confused and wish someone could enlighten me about this. Thank you.

Is Demonstrations Of Video Game Strategy Copyright Infringement?

July 15th, 2009 at 04:26am Under copyright infringement

If I wanted to post a video tutorial on strategy of a video game would it be copyright infringement if during the tutorial there is game footage? of course there must be game footage to demonstrate the different strategies. But would the strategy video be illegal? Or my own intellectual work?

Is There Anyway Around A Copyright Protection On A Video Tape?

July 14th, 2009 at 04:27pm Under copyright protection

I have this DVD recorder and I want to transfer a program that I have on a VHS tape to a blank DVD. But the thing says it is not allowed to record. Is there anyway around that?

Why Does My Youtube Video Get Taken Off For Copyright Infringement?

July 11th, 2009 at 10:26pm Under copyright infringement

I uploaded the live auditions for ABDC (America’s Best Dance Crew) then they get taken down the next day for copyright infringement. There are other videos similar to mine but are still on youtube. If anyone knows why please answer. Thank You.

How Can I Use The Music I Want On A Utube Video Despite The Copyright Infringement?

July 10th, 2009 at 10:26pm Under copyright infringement

I want to make my own music video of a song but due to copyright infringement my audio will be muted or my video will be removed.. i REALLY need to use this song tho…
So i wondered, is there any way to ask from utube to leave it as it is by saying… “no copyright infringement intended” or wtv..
Does anyone know something about it?