YouTube’s tutorial for copyright ‘villians’

As the saying goes, ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’, but when it comes to Google and its video site YouTube, the message is becoming increasingly clear – ‘shoot the messenger to protect the copyright holder’. YouTube is facing tougher and tougher criticism from US and global lawmakers for not ‘doing enough’ in the fight against online copyright infringements.
In response, YouTube has launched a ‘copyright tutorial’ for users. If a user violates a copyright on YouTube, the video site will contact them and say they must watch a tutorial in order for them to continue using the site. If users persist in copyright infringements (normally a three strikes and you’re out policy), YouTube will terminate their accounts. The user will also be open to prosecution should the copyright holder decide to sue.
Google, the largest ‘messenger’ on the planet, is also increasingly swimming in hot water as US lawmakers up the ante in their criticism of the search giant. Google, they say, is not doing enough to clamp down on sites that sell and advertise the sale of fake, branded goods.
The message is clear – you can shoot the messenger if the messenger refuses to co-operate. YouTube is, however, very keen to ensure only original videos appear on its site. These new rules will go some way to encouraging the creation of original content by its millions of users. As for the tutorial (below) – looks like someone has watched too much Itchy & Scratchy.