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Youtube Embedding : Copyright?

  1. grahamthecat
    Member

    Evening all - pretty new to this whole blogging thing, and I've got a question regarding content I can and can't publish.

    Basically I'm running a reviews / rants / pop culture / portfolio blog and I'm planning to hopefully run a couple of features in future - my question revolves around Youtube videos, and what I'm permitted to embed on my site under law, TOS, etc. For my movie reviews I'd like to introduce a trailer for the film I'm analysing as a visual header for each post, and I'm also interested in running a few 'countdown' features based around film, TV, animation and gaming (where I'd also like to include footage from Youtube in my posts where possible).

    My issue is - and I'm not going through with the above plans until I get clearance, I'm a good lad, honest - where do I stand on embedding footage from works like the above mentioned on my blog? I understand YouTube has an embedding policy whereby if a video owner wants to restrict sharing, embedding will be unavailable - however, what if I were to embed a video uploaded by someone who isn't the original copyright holder or creator of the work (ie a 'Let's Play' of an ancient NES game, or an intro from an old cartoon)? Where possible, I plan to embed videos directly from the creative or copyright holder's source - but if I were to effectively repost a video uploaded by a third party on YouTube, am I breaking the same laws / rules? (I'm not suggesting at all that I'll go about this without being clear on the matter as I'm very, VERY careful - when I performed in a singing contest a few months back I drove a few folks organising the show mad after trying to find out if they had a valid PRS licence for me to perform my songs!! I've actually amended a couple of posts which had embedded trailers after I'd thought about these implications.)

    I understand this has probably been asked elsewhere before, I've searched through and found a few similar queries but none with resolutions to answer my particular issue here. I'd love to get some feedback so I know where I stand and so I can avoid treading on anyone's legal toes!

    Phew, long one. Good luck sifting through that! Thanks in advance! ;)

    The blog I need help with is grahamthecat.wordpress.com.

  2. timethief
    Member

    I understand YouTube has an embedding policy whereby if a video owner wants to restrict sharing, embedding will be unavailable - however,

    The however gives you away.
    1. You are not ignorant of the copyright law and even if your were ignorance is no excuse before the courts and you know that too.

    2. Your intent is to breach copyright law.

    3. You are posting to this forum seeking counsel focused on breaching copyright law.

    I am a paralegal and I'm telling you here and now that if you think you are going to get any valuable legal counsel on blogging forums - forget it! The only legal opinion that counts for anything and the only ones that can even be referred to as "leag opinion" is the one you get from a copyright lawyer and in written form after you pay for it.

  3. timethief
    Member

    edit: "leag opinion" was meant to be"legal opinion"

  4. timethief
    Member

    if I were to effectively repost a video uploaded by a third party on YouTube, am I breaking the same laws / rules?

    Please read the WordPress.com ToS and if you feel you need interpretation of what you read in there, then click the Help button on the top right hand corner of your Admin page and contact WordPress.com Terms of Service Staff.

  5. grahamthecat
    Member

    Thanks for your help and for making this clear - I won't pursue this avenue any further. I'm sorry my wording was misleading as I really don't intend to break any laws - I merely wanted to seek clarification. Am I in breach of TOS were my forum post to be interpreted in such a way - will this cause my account to be blocked/deleted?

  6. timethief
    Member

    No your account will not be deleted for this. It will only be deleted if you violate the ToS or the policies issuing from it.
    "Blogs that promote pirated copies of ebooks, software packages, music, movies, games, etc." http://en.wordpress.com/types-of-blogs/

  7. 1tess
    Moderator

    I doubt it. You were only asking a question.
    But if you have further questions about TOS then contact staff.
    We volunteers have no authority to determine such issues here in the forums.
    http://en.support.wordpress.com/contact/

  8. 1tess
    Moderator

    ~~passing on another hello to timethief…

  9. timethief
    Member

    ~~ waving back to Tess

  10. grahamthecat
    Member

    Ok - that's clear. Thanks for your help and time, and apologies again.

  11. timethief
    Member

    Not to worry. We are cool.

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