YouTube and the Heights of Ridiculousness*
A few weeks ago, I posted a video of Joe singing karaoke. In an email from YouTube dated the next day:
“Dear Member: This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by The Music Publisher claiming that this material is infringing: [link to video of Joe]”Dear YouTube: fuck you. How completely absurd. Now, in all fairness, YT did include a link to their counter-DMCA page. But on their Why was my video taken down page, YouTube clearly states
“Your video was taken down, after a review by YouTube staff, because of either inappropriate content or copyright violation, as defined by our Terms of Use.”Apparently, a YouTube staffer actually looked at this 25-second, lo-fi video of Joe singing “Purple Rain” and decided that it violated copyright. I know YouTube is playing it safe by backing down, but come on—show some fucking backbone. And “Music Publisher,” don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. I’m sure you have some bots or interns trolling YouTube looking for potential copyright infringements and sending cease-and-desist notices. Well, fuck you guys too. It’s no wonder the music industry is going through such an upheaval—it’s run by idiots.
*Update: I’ve uploaded the video to Vimeo, which I should have done in the first place.
