Hi Everyone,

My question is about sites that upload music videos, trailers or music (mp3) onto the net that is copyrighted.
Many sites known for this are Myspace, Youtube and any other sites looking to promote their site using these materials.

My question is, if I have a site where people can upload videos, and I make it known that copyrighted material may not be uploaded unless agreed by its owner... and the person still uploads music videos... could the music video company sue my site? Does it ever go to that extreme?

Or what about less well-known sites that upload movie trailers or music videos. Is it a big deal since so many sites have music videos and movie trailers on their site.
How could these companies even begin controlling their copyrighted material that’s on the net.

I mean, if someone has a copyrighted music video on the net... all the music company could do is ask to have it taken down right?

What would be the best way to control a video site, if everyone’s uploading videos to your site without getting your site in trouble.

Thank you

My question is, if I have a site where people can upload videos, and I make it known that copyrighted material may not be uploaded unless agreed by its owner... and the person still uploads music videos... could the music video company sue my site? Does it ever go to that extreme?

Yes your website can be sued even if you have a disclaimer because your website is helping people to share someone's copyrighted material. But in general as i see, many companies first ask sites like you tube to remove their content. Only if its not being removed, they are sued.

The best way to control a video site is to monitor each and every video and allow/not allow videos. But still we cannot be 100% perfect because its very tough to identify the nature of each video whether or not its owned by the guy who is uploading it.

Pretty tough but since these things are already happening to the big guys like your tube and my space, we might get an answer sooner than later.

__________________
Vinoth Chandar
Creator of Discussweb

Like Google we can control it by using simple keyword filtering.

One more nowdays how many of then read the terms of use before upload videos or others?

-V.Vadivelan

I've been following reports of the court cases involving the lawsuits by the RIAA against colleges and their students, in particular.

It is very worthwhile for the entertainment companies to spend money to limit this activity.

A lot of the copyrighted music and vids played actually are through legal streaming sites which are licensed. One thing you notice is that there are artist and songs they don't offer because the license isn't available to them.

What if I created a set up like Friendster video

Friendster Video

They use video from other sites. Each video has the original sites logo on the video. For example, YouTube logo is on the lower right hand corner.
Those sites are responsible for the videos they upload.

At our site, only the site administrators would be uploading the videos. Members would not be able to upload video to their profile or the video section.
This would allow our administrators to manage videos without getting into legal trouble?

My next question is, I would need to speak to the administrators at Youtube, Grouper, Sharkle and any other video site to obtain their permission to run their video content.

Do you think this is a safe way of having video on our site, without the legal complications?

Thank you

you need permission no matter where it is from.