Fox Decides That Irreparable Harm From YouTube Not Worth Suing Over
from the perhaps-it-wasn't-so-bad,-then? dept
Back in January, Fox made a big stink about sending subpoenas to Google to get access to the identities of some folks who had uploaded some of their TV shows. Fox, at the time, claimed that the uploads caused "irreparable harm," though they fail to explain how. Certainly other TV shows have discovered that they've benefited greatly from having people upload clips on YouTube. A recent AP report showed how the show "How I Met Your Mother" increased its audience noticeably after clips of a recent episode showed up on YouTube and Fox competitor CBS said that having its shows on YouTube helps increase viewership. Yet, Fox insisted that this was a really serious offense... and yet, a month later, Fox is now admitting that for such an egregious offense, it's not planning on going after those who uploaded the content (though it apparently did turn some information over to authorities). What's unclear is why Fox made this decision. Did the folks at Fox realize that suing people who were promoting its shows for free was a bad idea? Did they realize that YouTube actually helped provide them more viewers? Did they realize that suing its fans is a good way for people to get pissed off at other Fox properties... such as MySpace? Probably none of the above -- but all of those seem like pretty good arguments not to sue (and a few of them seem like reasons to encourage more people to upload stuff to YouTube, but that's another issue entirely).
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
If I were the party in question...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
YouTube as an advertising model is sliced bread
It's free for people to search and watch. Generally free to upload, and the end product on the television itself is also free. The consumer has nothing to lose by trying out a new TV show other than an hour or so of their time.
If they watch an extended clip of House MD on YouTube (which was uploaded and then watched for free), discover that they might like the show and then watch the show on their TV set then that's one more pair of eyeballs free of charge.
It's free advertising. FOX has no monetary loss here, nor does the guy watching the show. What more could they want?!
This is probably one of the most ingenious advertising models ever, and FOX can't see three feet in front of their noses!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: If I were the party in question...
You might want to take off your tin foil hat there, my friend. ;)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
VHS
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: If I were the party in question...
I meant that remark as saying TV networks are starting to act like the **AAs. Crying copyright infringment and crying about irreparable damages.
Now that I reread that comment I have to say I said it all kinds of wrong.
But the tin foil hat goes nowhere!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
You Tube....
If folks are worried that this is the future of video and we should be afraid of it.....
I've seen some decent content on You Tube, but quality wise..... Maybe I'm a dinosaur and just don't get it. Maybe the net is really just for people 25 and under anymore....
I'm going to watch my 52 inch HDTV and have a beer....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: You Tube....
Unfortunatly the crowd at you tube isnt really reliable on tv shows. Sure you can get the really popular ones/episodes but trying to get an entire season of something less known is impossible (for now). Thats what torrents are for.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: You Tube....
just for clarification purposes only.. :D
Oh, I can't afford a plasma either.... and even though we're straying even further off topic... no matter how you connect it, it still doesn't validate anything that you tube presently offers, IMHO.
and now back to our regularly scheduled meandering.....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: You Tube....
just for clarification purposes only.. :D
Oh, I can't afford a plasma either.... and even though we're straying even further off topic... no matter how you connect it, it still doesn't validate anything that you tube presently offers, IMHO.
and now back to our regularly scheduled meandering.....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
I have a
So there they are...posting the entire show...and then *WHAMMY* they don't edit out the commercials!
There they sit, still making their money, plus the free advertising...
Hand over fist, and these idiots wouldn't know what to do with the money.
Tell me if that doesn't make for a successful business model. They can slowly stop broadcasting over RF at all...in a good world anyway...that is just wishful thinking.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
100 bucks
lol
[ link to this | view in thread ]