Rodeo Discovers That It Doesn't Own The Copyright On Videos Taken By Spectators
from the welcome-to-copyright-law dept
The EFF, in its continuing effort to push back on bogus DMCA takedown notices has successfully convinced the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to settle a lawsuit that the EFF filed on behalf of some animal rights activists. They had been attending rodeos and filming things they believed represented cruelty towards the animals -- and then posting those videos on YouTube. The PRCA issued DMCA takedown notices, apparently not realizing that they don't actually own the copyright on those videos (whoever shot them does), and thus they were violating the DCMA (part of the takedown requires you to swear that you are the holder of the copyright). The settlement has PRCA not just admitting that it was wrong, but paying $25,000 to the activists and routing future takedown notices to the activist organization first. It's quite common for sporting events or other events to believe they own the copyright on any photographs or video shot during the events, but hopefully settlements like this will give them a quick lesson in how copyright law works.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.
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Filed Under: copyright, dmca, rodeo, spectators, takedowns, video
Companies: prca
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Selective Enforcement
What is going to be done about it ?
I'm guessing nothing.
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Re: Selective Enforcement
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Re: Re: Selective Enforcement
Are there going to be any criminal charges?
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Re: Re: Re: Selective Enforcement
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What about the NFL?
I'm guessing rodeo guys just haven't kept a stable of lawyers onhand. Expect that to change, pronto.
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HBO
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Re: HBO
Has anything been done about the unlawful DMCA notices sent by HBO?
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Actually they could own the copyright...
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Re: Actually they could own the copyright...
Is the above incorrect in any way ?
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Re: Re: Actually they could own the copyright...
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Re: Re: Re: Actually they could own the copyright...
That is an interesting situation, however I was thinking about the copyright claim upon recordings made at the inauguration. As far as I know, there were videos made on public property which HBO claims violate their copyright. I thought that the concert was on public property, maybe it wasn't.
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