YouTube, Warner Music Spat Killing Viral Videos

from the that'll-help dept

Wed, Jul 15th 2009 6:59pm — Mike Masnick

The ongoing spat between Warner Music and YouTube over music licensing payments has already been pissing off both musicians and consumers. But apparently now it's gone too far. People are up in arms that the ongoing "silentification" of music in videos has destroyed a popular viral video involving (seriously) a cat playing a piano. There simply is no logical argument for claiming that leaving this video alone harms the music industry in any way. No one is using this video as a substitute for the music in question -- and, if anything, it helps make more people aware of the music. But, thanks to Warner insisting that any and all value comes from Warner and Warner alone -- and anyone must pay for the privilege of promoting its music... fewer people now get to hear the song and enjoy a silly viral video.

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Filed Under: music, viral videos
Companies: google, warner music group, youtube

20 Comments

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Rekrul, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:13pm

The music industry: Using grenades to kill flies. Or anything that looks like a fly. Or anything they think might be a fly...
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:46pm

Great idea!
I like the idea. Any chance I can claim copyright and employ the same "silencification" technology on phonecalls the NSA records?

Unlike the RIAA, I think we can work to a compromise and determine a reasonable rate. I think a blanket $2.99 a minute would suffice, or $54.99 a call.

As a bonus, all calls will be elligible for call transcripts. This option is $.52 per sentence, in searchable PDF format, and only available when you purchase the phone call itself.

I'll offer my phone calls in your choice in GSM/uLaw/aLaw file formats, MP3 and FLAC on request. All available in realtime from my server.

PayPal accepted, (Sorry Google Payments!). This is basically because I also a fan of Former McCain Advisor, Meg Whitman, and particularly enjoy talking to Cheap India Labor whenever there's a problem with my PayPal account.

Look forward to your reply.
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Anonymous Poster, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:51pm

Warner sucks. End of discussion.
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HaX0r, 15 Jul 2009 @ 8:07pm

you can just do a highpass(>~60hz) and lowpass(
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scott, 15 Jul 2009 @ 8:35pm

Stuff
The NSA records all internet traffic, including music files and movies, therefor they are guilty of piracy.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 11:32pm

i can't wait til warner and the rest of those morons accidentally get a taste of the revenue fair use brings, it will numb them with more money then they'll know what to do with, the lawyers and execs will find as they bake in the sun, or go on fishing trips with family that can't wait til they make the coil shift, that they did the right thing being ignorant and making more money as a result despite intention. while never really knowing why, let the rails of their minds begin the subliminal greasing...
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Mechwarrior, 16 Jul 2009 @ 5:48am

If the cat had paid for proper performance and distribution rights, this wouldn't have happened.
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 16 Jul 2009 @ 6:02am

Re:
I have to say that I hope they die off before they do.
They do not deserve to survive.

You hear me Warner?
Adapt or die bitches.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 16 Jul 2009 @ 6:29am

Someone has to say it
Play 'em off, Keyboard Cat.
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Bradley Stewart, 16 Jul 2009 @ 6:35am

It's The Cry Baby Syndrome Gone Wild
Just find a loophole and sue. I can understand Warner's Music position but some things are just better left alone. This video is one of them. I believe that the Lawyers at Warner Music have way too much time on their hands. Maybe its time for Warner to consider how much that they are paying for legal advice.
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Cure, 16 Jul 2009 @ 7:21am

Common Cold
First the cat would have to go to court and get it ruled that he/she is allowed to enter into a contract.

As a side note, who ever knew that the cure for the Common Cold Virus was having a music exec and lawyer kill a musically talented cat in a ritualistic manner.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Jul 2009 @ 7:23am

Re: It's The Cry Baby Syndrome Gone Wild
Maybe its time for Warner to consider how much that they are paying TO WATCH YOUTUBE.
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Flip Flop, 16 Jul 2009 @ 7:38am

REVERSE!
Everytime YouTube finds a video with the a copyrighted song, they should send a bill to the copyright holder, based on number of views for "promotional services".

It looks like the music industry is hastening their own demise. They kill fair use of songs, etc. and then complain that "Hey, our sales are down! It must be piracy!" when in fact, it's their overzealous desire to stamp out their own music that is killing interest. How many sales did that clip generate? Even if it was one, that's one more than they had before... for doing NOTHING.

People loved the video (obviously). I'd love to get free GOOD exposure. Again... if I got one sell, it's totally worth it.
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jm, 16 Jul 2009 @ 9:07am

Incredible foolishness
So I wonder just how many people bought that Hall & Oates song after watching Keyboard Cat rip it up? Seems like magic-level advertising, doesn't it?
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Tony, 16 Jul 2009 @ 9:55am

Idiots
I have never seen an industry so afraid of new technology. There response to every advance to come into existence has been to resist it, even when it has proven to be of great benefit (radio, cassette, CD & DVD, etc...). Now they are trying like hell to kill any innovation that could come from the internet. Can these people not see the opportunities that having your product piped directly into consumers homes presents?

This is an industry full of fearful, short-sighted, chicken little types. They need to learn what every other business already knows: adapt or die.
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Enrico Suarve, 17 Jul 2009 @ 1:52am

Methinks Warner have been watching too many cartoons
"Pay up or the kitty gets it?"

Seriously? As an actual business model?

What's next? Are they going to start chasing infringers by stapping themselves to large rockets and waiting for them to run past?

Seems these guys never made it out of the playground (and I think I can guess the kind of "my ball" kids they were...)
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Franssu, 17 Jul 2009 @ 9:09am

I Warner wants to die so badly
Why don't they close shop already ? This is becoming embarrassing.
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sherita thorpe, 30 Jul 2009 @ 8:57am

re:
hey i like your page that u mak 4 yourself....
wht u doing today k?

cal me at 757-556-1520 that mi cell phone number ok.. lol.....
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Turklee, 22 Aug 2009 @ 8:35am

I have to say that I hope they die off before they do.
They do not deserve to surviv
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أيفون, 1 Nov 2010 @ 10:29am

well
i like this post thanks ill be here from now on
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