While reading BoingBoing today I ran into another DMCA take down (or at least what looked like a take down). Running into a takedown on content that is news related feels like someone has taken the newspaper I am reading light it on fire. GRR, A mere threat of infringement should not be able to quash a news story. Without access to knowledge our rights are useless, quelling political speech like this is wrong!
Is this video infringing? There is no way to tell without viewing, but what is clear is that copyright law can be used to kill free speech and the freedom of the press. These takedown notices should inform the public of who is abusing copyright law.
Run into a takedown on content that is news related feels like someone has taken the newspaper I am reading light it on fire. GRR, A mere threat of infringement should not be able to quash a news story.
I am also a little concerned that this is not a run of the mill take down the wording is a little odd: “This video is not available in your country due to copyright restrictions.” It implies that is is available in other countries… where could i watch it from… can I proxy in to YouTube from Canada on the EU to see it? Obama is speaking out against Iran’s reaction to the election, as an American I have a compelling need to get educated over what is going on before we find ourselves railroaded into a 3rd Mideast war.
Update: the video appears to be owned by the BBC. It is still not clear why it is not viewable in the US. Is google becoming a firewall for copyright holders? Where are we living in the US or China?