fishbat, Leader in Online Marketing Companies, Comments on YouTube’s Increasing Copyright Claims
Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) December 16, 2013 -- fishbat, a leader in online marketing companies, responds to an article published by Kotaku on December 13th, which reports that YouTube’s new copyright claims might cripple professional YouTubers.
According to the Kotaku article titled “YouTube Channels Crippled By Copyright Claims,” YouTube is now using multiple programs to “crawl” videos for copyrighted materials. The Content ID system searches videos for any copyrighted materials, with a heavy focus on music and game audio. Once a video is labeled as a copyright infringement, the video is not taken down but all profits are redirected to the copyright holder.
The article says the copyright rules of YouTube have always been a topic of online conversation. Copyright holders claim money made off of playing their games belongs to them, while YouTubers claim their videos are personalized, free advertising for the game they are playing. The article says YouTubers have seemingly lost this argument, and for professional YouTubers, their livelihood is now in question.
"Basically every game reviewer and Let's Player on YouTube is getting reamed with copyright matches right now," YouTuber Zach Scott says in the article. "I've had over 30 videos be pegged, mostly for music included in the game.”
Justin Maas, vice president of client relations at fishbat, a leader in online marketing companies, says that YouTube was likely forced to make the change under the threat of lawsuits. “Copyright laws are very strict in the United States. The chances are that videos showing pure gameplay would be considered copyright infringement if a major video game publisher were to take a case to court. YouTube is likely doing its users a favor by getting out in front of a lawsuit and limiting damage.”
Nonetheless, Maas sympathizes with YouTubers who are losing money from the YouTube copyright claims. “The main attraction of most game review and Let’s Play channels are the personalities of the game players, not the game itself. They are the content creators. Unfortunately, non-gamers are not likely to agree with this point of view.”
fishbat is a full-service online marketing company and social media agency dedicated to connecting all types of businesses with their target audiences in the most effective and efficient way. Through innovative strategies in social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), branding, web design, reputation management and public relations, fishbat promotes a consistent and professional online voice for all of its clients.
Scott Darrohn, fishbat, http://fishbat.com, +1 (855) 347-4228, [email protected]
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