Banned By YouTube: Fair Use Of Copyrighted Materials On YouTube

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Exploring The "Fair Use" Of Copyrighted Materials On YouTube

In early October 2006 I took two small excerpts from the PBS video "Triumph of the Nerds" and placed these clips on my Squidoo Lens about the lawsuit between Apple, Inc and Burst.Com, Inc.

http://www.squidoo.com/bursting

On March 20, 2007 I received the first of two email message informing me that both of these clips had been removed from YouTube.
===============================================
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 NBD Television Ltd. claiming that this material is infringing:

Great Artists Steal - Triumph of the Nerds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeNumls8hcE

Please Note: Repeat incidents of copyright infringement will result in the deletion of your account and all videos uploaded to that account. In order to avoid future strikes against your account, please delete any videos to which you do not own the rights, and refrain from uploading additional videos that infringe on the copyrights of others. For more information about YouTube's copyright policy, please read the Copyright Tips guide.

If you elect to send us a counter notice, please go to our Help Center to access the instructions.
===============================================
No information was given to me that outlines what the possible infringement might be and no information was given about the third-party claiming the infringement: NBD Television Ltd.

The only recourse outlined in these emails was:
================================================
If you elect to send us a counter notice, please go to our Help Center to access the instructions.

Please note that under Section 512(f) of the Copyright Act, any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material or activity was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification may be subject to liability.

Sincerely,
YouTube, Inc.
=============================================
I do not believe at this point in time that what I placed on YouTube six months ago infringes on the copyright of "Triumph of the Nerds". I do believe that the "Fair Use" provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976 cover the excerpting I did six months ago.

This lens will document my experience in trying to understand:

Who is NBD Television and why are they saying bad things about me and my work to YouTube?

What are the specifics of my alleged infringement of these copyrighted materials?

What does "Fair Use" mean in today's electronic information world?

GOD Has Spoken -- Upon Further Review It Was Just Cringely's Latest Column!

burstingsquidoo's 15 seconds of fame



http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070329_001882.html

(Bob - I hope you will find that my screen cap falls under the DMCA "fair use" provisions. I'm not looking to get any more threatening emails.)

Great Artists Steal - Triumph of the Nerds - Revised

It usually takes YouTube about 20 minutes to "process" an upload. It took almost 2 hours for YouTube to process this "revised" version of the banned clip. The original clip was about 5 minutes long and the "revised" clip only uses 11 seconds from the "Triumph of the Nerds" DVD. This tells me that "fair use" is shorter than 5 minutes and probably longer than 11 seconds. Comments?
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Email To Copyright Holder Oregon Public Broadcasting

(Part 1)

Rebecca Morris
Chief Counsel
Oregon Public Broadcasting

Rebecca:

Bob Cringely, host of the OPB program "Triumph of the Nerds", has said that OPB is the copyright holder of this material. I am a BIG Cringely fan and I own a copy of the DVD that I purchased from Amazon.Com.

On March 20, 2007 YouTube banned two clips I uploaded based on an infringement complaint from NBD Televidison. You can see more about this banning if you visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/bannedbyyoutube

I have written to YouTube asking for a status report on my banned clips.

I have also exchanged emails with Cringely. Here is one excerpt I will share with you.

================
"There were two reasons for excerpting the 5 minutes from the 3 hour DVD set.

1. I wanted to place the Steve Jobs quote in some context and not just do a hatchet job on Jobs. The introduction of the Macintosh in 1984 is a compelling story and your handling of this event was beautifully done. I liked the way you changed the music from "Chariots of Fire" played at the Flint Center event to some other music to get around any copyright issues. However, I was most interested in the 11 seconds when
Jobs does his Picasso quote.

2. I also wanted to "tease" the viewers of the clip so that some of the viewers would go to Amazon and buy the DVD set. The "Triumph of the Nerds" documentary was an excellent presentation and deserves a much wider audience.

I don't expect an quick reply from YouTube or NBD television so I have done a "revised" clip and uploaded it to YouTube. The "revised" clip is
available at:

http://www.squidoo.com/bannedbyyoutube
====================

Email To Copyright Holder Oregon Public Broadcasting

(Part 2)

(continued from Part 1)

The 3 part "Triumph of the Nerds" DVD runs 165 minutes. 5 minutes represents 3% of the total program time, which I believe at least gives me a little room in arguing my "fair use" defense. After reading the "Cringley Doctrine on Fair Use" (30 seconds) I can see how my 5 minutes comes up way short of Cringely's view.

However, I cut the clip the way I did because this was a natural breaking point in the DVD. I also wanted to "tease" the viewer into buying the DVD from Amazon.Com, which I mention in the opening title and in the blurb that goes along with the clip. I actually looked upon my excerpt as being a 5 minute advertisement for the DVD.

It is my understanding that infringement is in the eye of the copyright holder and not in the eye of some third party like NBD Television.

What is OPB's view about the behavior of NBD Television?

I have uploaded a newly revised version of the Steve Job's Picasso quote to YouTube. This revised quote is now 11 seconds long and fits well within the "Cringley Doctrine of Fair Use".

I would like to see where OPB stands on my dispute with YouTube on the matter of a third party getting clips removed.

Where does OPB stand on this particular action taken by NBD Television and YouTube?

If you believe that it is in OPB's interest to file an "infrigment" notice with YouTube on the original 5 minute clip, then I will understand and accept your decision. I would then ask that OPB give me permission to use original 5 minute clip on YouTube.

Please let me know if you need to see the original 5 minute clip.

burstingsquidoo

Email To YouTube On Banned Clips

Sent April 3, 2007

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 08:59:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Bursting Squidoo" <burstingsquidoo@yahoo.com>
Subject: Removal Of Clips From YouTube
To: copyright@youtube.com

Dear YouTube:

On March 20, 2007 you informed me via email that YouTube had removed two clips of mine because NBD Television was claiming this material was infringing.

===========================================

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 NBD Television Ltd. claiming that this material is infringing:

Great Artists Steal - Triumph of the Nerds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeNumls8hcE

Robert X. Cringely - Yahoo BRST Message Board
Superhero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8UwNJRM8dc

==========================================

It has come to my attention that NBD Television Ltd. is not the copyright holder of "Triumph of the Nerds".

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070329_001882.html

It has been 14 days since my clips were removed and I'm writing you to find out the status of my banned clips.

Your email to me includes the following paragraph:

"Please note that under Section 512(f) of the Copyright Act, any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material or activity was removed or
disabled by mistake or misidentification may be subject to liability."

Here are my current questions on this matter:

What steps are being taken by YouTube to determine the liability of NBD Television, Ltd. in having my clips removed when NBD Television is not the copyright holder?

What liability does NBD Television face in having my clips removed when NBD Television is not the copyright holder of this material?

What proof did NDB Television offer that NBD Television was the copyright holder when they asked that my clips be removed?

What proof does YouTube require when clips are claimed to be infringing?

Can a non-copyright holder claim infringement and have clips removed from the YouTube site?

Do you have any plans to restore my original clips to the YouTube site?

Sincerely,

burstingsquidoo

Email To CEO of NBD Television

Nicky Davies Williams
Chief Executive Officer
NBD Television, Ltd.

Dear Ms Williams:

It has come to my attention that you are the CEO of NBD Television. I recently received a DMCA notice from YouTube which informed me that NBD Television had asked YouTube to remove two of my video clips from the
Oregon Public Broadcasting program "Triumph of the Nerds". I am trying to understand why you chose to take this action and I would like to have you respond to the following questions.

1. How did NDBTV become aware of the appearance of the work in question on youtube.com. Who told you. And who told them, etc.

2. What kind of proof do you have that NDBTV created the work or purchased the copyright (per the British law) that gives NDB the right to claim infringement?

3. If you have no such proof, then please furnish proof that you were authorized to act on behalf of the copyright holder Oregon Public Broadcasting as per the US law.

4. In view of the many other appearances of the work in question, and in greater length, on youtube.com, why did NDBTV assert its alleged rights in only this one case?

"I spent about 20 minutes looking for Triumph of the
Nerds video clips on YouTube and came up with 15. I am
sure there are others....There's a guy named
AppleRumorTracker on YouTube who recut much of
"Triumph of the Nerds" into a pretty darned good
five-part, 46-minute compilation of interviews with
only the occasional question in my voice sneaking
through. He removed me from my own show.
AppleRumorTracker even changed the title of the show.
Why didn't NBD Television Ltd. ask YouTube to pull
down those clips?"

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070329_001882.htm

I look forward to receiving a timely response to my questions.

burstingsquidoo

The YouTube Clip That Wasn't Banned

There were three clips in my account and one remained untouched. This is a revised version of that clip. The original clip ran 1:55 and had about 300 views. This is a revision of that clip that runs 1:17 in order to fit into the "Cringely Doctrine of Fair Use" of 30 seconds of "fair use" content.

This clip makes no sense unless you have read the Apple and Burst.Com legal briefs on the topic of 'Time Compression Multiplexing' vs. 'Time Compressed Representation'.
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Banned Clip Still Available On YouTube

Why does this clip remain on YouTube while my clip was removed?

My five minute excerpt is found within the following almost 10 minute excerpt taken from "Triumph of the Nerds". As Cringely pointed out in his column there are several clips from "Triumph of the Nerds" that remain on YouTube. As far as I know only my two clips have been banned?

Why?
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YouTube Responds To April 3, 2007 Email

(Look Carefully At The Way The Response Is Crafted To Avoid Directly Answering My Original Questions - I wonder if Jacob is a Google attorney?)

Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:02:52 -0700
From: "Copyright Service" <copyright@support.youtube.com>
To: "Bursting Squidoo" <burstingsquidoo@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [#132238329] Removal Of Clips From YouTube

Dear burstingsquidoo,

When we're notified that a particular video uploaded to our site infringes another's copyright, we remove the material as the law requires. If you feel a content owner has misidentified your content as infringing, you may file a DMCA counter-notification.

For more information, visit our Copyright Tips page,
http://youtube.com/t/dmca_policy.

Sincerely,

Jacob
The YouTube Team

Email To YouTube April 7, 2007

Dear Jacob:

The content owner did not file the DMCA infringement claim with YouTube. A third party (NBD Television) filed the DMCA claim of infringement. This is an important distinction that you are not addressing in your answer and also something that is not addressed on your Copyright Tips page.

Please do not just cut and paste an answer that directs me to the Copyright Tips page. The issue I'm addressing is not found on this page!

Let me see if I can clarify what I'm asking:

What happens if someone other than the content owner notifies YouTube that a particular uploaded video infringes another's copyright?

Doesn't the DMCA require that the copyright owner notify YouTube of the alleged infringement?

Where in the DMCA is it specified that a third-party (not the copyright holder) can file a valid infringement removal request?

What happens if the notification comes from someone other than the copyright owner?

What proof of copyright ownership is required when the DMCA removal is enforced?

You did not answer ANY of my previous questions about the liability of NBD Television. Why?

I still am waiting for your answers to these questions.

Although I appreciate the courtesy of your reply today, you didn't really address the issues I raised in my original email.

I look forward to a speedy reply to my original questions and the new questions I have added today.

burstingsquidoo

YouTube Responds To April 7, 2007

Looks like YouTube can only handle one question at a time!

Dear burstingsquidoo,

Under the DMCA, and as described on our website at http://youtube.com/t/dmca_policy, a valid takedown notice must include a statement that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner. We received notice from NBD Television acting on behalf of Digital Classics Distribution Limited. Proof of copyright ownership is not required.

I apologize for not properly communicating this to you sooner.

Sincerely,

Jacob
The YouTube Team

Electronic Freedom Foundation Responds - April 11, 2007

Hi Burstingsquidoo,

Thanks for contacting EFF.

For general information on Copyright and the DMCA, I suggest that you
review EFF's site and the Chilling Effects Clearinghouse
site /www.chillingeffects.org>. CE is an online resource that
addresses multiple IP and domain issues. The FAQ sections go into
detail about situations similar to yours and how to tell if someone has
a legitimate claim against you. CE has a database of cease and desist
letters to which you can also submit copies of any take-down notice you
receive.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/

Copyright and the DMCA
http://www.chillingeffects.org/copyright/

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Copyright
http://www.chillingeffects.org/copyright/faq.cgi

Additionally, you should look at the Fair Use Network website. Fair
Use
Network explains the process of C&D takedown notices and counter
claims.

'Cease and Desist!': A Guide to Assessing & Responding to Cease and
Desist Letters
http://fairusenetwork.org/reference/cd.php

'Take It Down!': A Guide to Assessing & Responding to DMCA § 512
Takedown Notices
http://fairusenetwork.org/reference/td.php

EFF Staff Attorney Jason Schultz would like to speak with you further
about your situation. Is there a phone number that he can reach you at
to discuss the case?

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Julie
--
Julie Lindner
Intake Coordinator
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Julie@eff.org
415-436-9333 ext.111
Become an EFF member! -- http://www.eff.org/support/
-----
Please note that we have not had the opportunity to fully review the
facts and law applicable to your situation, so our comments here are
for your informational purposes only. That means they do not constitute
legal advice and do not create an attorney/client relationship between
you and EFF. They may still be privileged under US law, however, and
will be kept confidential by us unless you instruct us otherwise.
Please do not act upon this information alone; instead please seek a complete review of your case with a lawyer licensed to practice in your
jurisdiction.

Email To Electronic Freedom Foundation - April 11, 2007

(Asking For Help With YouTube)

Dear EEF:

A third party asked YouTube to remove two clips I uploaded to YouTube. The removal was done without the authorization from the copyright owner. This appears to me to be a violation of the DMCA infringement rules.

I have sent two emails to YouTube with several questions and the answers from YouTube are evasive and not germane to the questions being asked.

What options are available to me to get a clearer understanding of the YouTube DMCA removal policy and to get my clips restored on YouTube?

Thanks for your help in this matter.

burstingsquidoo

Links of interest:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070329_001882.html
(Robert X. Ciringely's Column)

http://www.squidoo.com/bannedbyyoutube

Electronic Freedom Foundation Responds - April 17, 2007

(Part 1)

I've had a chance to look through your emails and website. While we
cannot provide legal representation to you on this matter, I've taken
the liberty to share some of my thoughts on it:

1) It would appear that NBD Television sent the take-down to YouTube on
behalf of Digital Classics Distribution Limited, presumably because
DCDL claims copyright in some of the video you posted. While Oregon
Public Broadcast may own the overarching copyright in "Triumph of the
Nerds", the series does use extensive clips from other copyrighted
works. For example, there appear to be clips of early conference talks
given by Steve Jobs when the Macintosh first launched. It is possible
that DCDL owns the copyright in these clips and thus, that could be the
source of the take-down request. Under the DMCA, the sender of a
notice does not have to "prove" they own a copyright but rather swear
under penalty of perjury that they are authorized to send the notice on
behalf of the copyright owner. Thus, by making such a representation,
NBD may have satisfied its obligations under the DMCA. Of course, if
it is not authorized or DCDL doesn't own any copyrights in the
underlying clips, it may have violated the DMCA.

2) That said, even if DCDL does own copyright in the underlying cilps,
it may well be a fair use for you to have posted those clips,
especially if OPB does not object to the posting. However, that would
be a matter for the court to decide, as fair use is determined on a
case-by-case basis and there has never been a determination of fair use
one way or the other for people posting clips to YouTube. In other
words, it is uncharted waters.

3) So, what are your options? The easiest option would be to send
YouTube a DMCA counternotice. I believe Julie has sent you information
on how to put one together. Once YouTube receives this notice, they
will generally re-enable access to the clip within 10-14 business days
unless NBD or DCDL files a copyright infringement suit against you and
notifies YouTube of that fact. Note, however, that if you do file a
counternotice, you run the risk of such a suit being filed against you.
You also will have to agree to submit to jurisdiction for the suit
where you live and/or where YouTube is located in the Northern District
of California. As such, you may wish to hire an attorney and consult
with them on the risks associated with a counter-notice. If you need
help findi

Electronic Freedom Foundation Responds - April 17, 2007

(Part 2)

If you need help finding an attorney, we can try to assist you through our
Cooperating Attorneys program.

The second option is to file a lawsuit of your own against NBD/DCDL for
violating the DMCA and for a declaration that posting the clip doesn't
infringe their copyrights. Again, you would want to talk to an
experienced attorney about the risks of such a suit.

Anyway, hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions
about this.

One quick note: If you have or can get a copy of the "Triumph" DVD, it
should have acknowledgments in the credits at the end regarding the
source of the underlying clips. I would look to see if DCDL is
mentioned there.

Electronic Freedom Foundation

Copyright Notices Found In "Triumph of the Nerds"

No mention of Digital Classics Distribution Limited or NBD Television in the copyright credits



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burstingsquidoo

I am a retired high school teacher, school librarian, software developer (library automation) and an investor in Burst.Com, Inc.

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