YouTube Sensation Justin Bieber Blocked From Uploading His Own Music To YouTube By Copyright

from the bieber-fever dept

Wed, Dec 1st 2010 1:46pm — Mike Masnick

Justin Bieber became "Justin Bieber" thanks to YouTube. His early YouTube videos of him covering various songs are what turned him into a huge sensation, leading to a recording deal and the somewhat scary unstoppable force that is the fanbase of Justin Bieber. So, it should seem perfectly natural that Bieber would head over to YouTube to upload a video of his latest song. What doesn't seem perfectly natural is that he was blocked from doing so thanks to Universal Music and YouTube's ContentID system. Google (correctly) pointed out that this is an issue between Bieber and his label, but like most normal folks, Bieber wasn't interested in understanding the intricacies of copyright law when all he wanted to do was upload his own damn video to YouTube. So, instead, he went and uploaded it to Facebook.

Now, to be clear, Universal is Bieber's label, and assuming he signed a recording deal like any standard recording deal, it does hold his copyrights. But this is the kind of screwed up situation you get when the entertainment industry works so hard to block various new and useful tools from sharing content. The people who want to use it for perfectly reasonable and legitimate uses get blocked (and pissed off).

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Filed Under: content id, copyright, justin bieber, uploads, youtube
Companies: google, universal music, vevo, youtube

63 Comments

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Killer_Tofu (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 1:34pm

Well I'll Be
I guess Copyright actually is good for the public once in awhile. =P
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RD, 1 Dec 2010 @ 1:58pm

Cant wait
I cant wait until this happens to me. The first time any of my productions get blocked or removed, someone is getting a nice fat lawsuit right up their shitter. I'm calling the FBI, Homeland Security, and I EXPECT equal treatment as they give Disney and the RIAA et al.
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Jo 15 Year old Girl, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:06pm

It's his song!
Shame on YouTube! If he's the one singing the song (and looking cute while doing it xoxoxo!), why can't he be allowed to share it?
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Mr Big Content, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:07pm

A Pirate Is A Pirate
Why should Justin Bieber get special favors not accorded to any other pirate? Stealing content is stealing food out of the content creator�s mouth. It makes no difference that the offender and the victim are the same person; the principle must be upheld for everybody, or not at all. After all, it�s against the law to commit suicide, isn�t it?
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@jonathanchill, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:09pm

Re: Cant wait
ROFL! Brilliant
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:11pm

Re: It's his song!
because he doesn't own the copyright on the song. It doesn't matter that he sung it; he doesn't own it.
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darryl, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:13pm

give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
Justin Bieber became "Justin Bieber" thanks to YouTube. His early YouTube videos of him covering various songs are what turned him into a huge sensation

No justin beiber did not become "justin beiber' thanks to YouTube.

He because huge, because he has some talent, ability, looks or whatever 11 year old girls see in him.

(not being an 11 year old girl, its beyond me).

But many people post songs and show their talent on yourtube, and about 1 in a billion become anything at all.

But you cant credit youtube, for something something has done.

What made him huge was universal, seeing he had talent and investing in him..

They expect to recoup their inventment, and a part of that deal is justin signs over copyrights to his songs..

They are not 'his' songs anymore, he has no right to give them away. And the record company has every right to recoup money that they have invensted in the risk of trying to make a star.

you cannot credit a form of media for a success, it was not due to the form of media he showed his talent in, but his talent itself that makes the difference.
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Adrian Lopez, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:14pm

"Universal is Bieber's label, and assuming he signed a recording deal like any standard recording deal, it does hold his copyrights."

But copyright is all about protecting performers, isn't it?
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Sam, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:16pm

Re: Well I'll Be
FUCK YOU!
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The eejit (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:18pm

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
Tell that to Numa Numa Guy or SWK.
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cc (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:18pm

While Bieber may be a total airhead and the type of manufactured super-star that I don't consider worthy of my time of day, there *is* actually a lesson to be learned here.

When even Bieber doesn't understand copyright law (and it's his job), how can we expect the typical 16-year-old to know any better?
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Anonymous, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:21pm

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
True, his talent is what keeps him going, but without YouTube as a medium, he probably wouldn't have been discovered, signed, and promoted. Giving credit where credit is due, the YouTube platform did play a big role in his success, even though his talent already existed.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:21pm

Re: Re: It's his song!
But... Copyright is for the artists.

Right?
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Adrian Lopez, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:25pm

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
Universal noticed him because of the fans who first saw him on YouTube. Perhaps he might have succeeded without YouTube, but YouTube no doubt set the process in motion.
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Derek Bredensteiner (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:26pm

On Google's role
I wouldn't be so quick to rush to their defense. As far as I understand it, isn't YouTube's ContentID system a concession above and beyond what the law requires, in order to appease the labels?

Shouldn't some backlash be rightfully targeted at Google for capitulating and playing the label's game instead of staying open (and law abiding) as some others have done? (like Facebook, for example).
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jeff, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:28pm

justin biber
You are the best I love the song baby
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Niki Dounias, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:29pm

justin bieber
Hey justin bieber u are asoume kid ever love your biggest fan Niki Dounias
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Dark Helmet (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:33pm

Re: justin bieber
You and Jeff will find no Justin Bieber here. We ate him for Thanksgiving and found him unsatisfying.

Now go listen to the Spaceballs theme as your pennance.

BWHAHAHAHAH....
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Adrian Lopez, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:39pm

Re: On Google's role
You're right that the law does not require YouTube to use a content filtering system, but I think the fear is that courts might choose to consider the failure to filter as a factor in the "contributory infringement" determination.
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Niki Dounias, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:40pm

Re: justin bieber
Hey justin bieber you are so handsome kid ever. And I realy lov your new hair cut I looks great. U are my handsome man forever.I have bieber fever going on 4 u my love and hunny booo and hunny bunny lover we both love each other for ever and ever 4 life stick together 4 ever.. Looveeeeeeeee your bigges justin bieb fan ever I go to every singal concert of your and I also sit up front of u
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John Duncan Yoyo, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:40pm

Was Bieber old enough to sign a contract?
My question is whether the Bieber Creature was of legal age when he entered into a contract with Universal? Could it be voided because of his age?

Hey Google why don't you just buy Universal and rename it You-niversal. I realize you may need to buy Comcrap to do this but hey that should be just pocket change.
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crade (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:42pm

Re: On Google's role
You mean by preventing Beaver breaking the law by sharing someone else's video without permision?

If you believe the crapload of lawsuits against them, it seems more like they are not doing enough policing of their users.
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crade (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:53pm

Re: Re: justin bieber
That haircut isn't new, he's had it since he was 5. I had the same one when I was 5. :)
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:15pm

Re: Was Bieber old enough to sign a contract?
They are waiting for the price to fall a bit it is still a bit pricier, but they could buy EMI LoL

Heck Microsoft could buy EMI.

This reminds me for all open video producer lovers one more PRO tool has been opensourced.

http://lightworksbeta.com/

Lightworks is an Academy and Emmy award winning professional-grade editor with over 20 years of history in the film and broadcast industry.

Anybody needs a free pro tool to make some videos?
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Eugene (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:22pm

Re: Re: Re: It's his song!
oh snap!
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Eugene (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:26pm

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
Looking around at the other successful youtube artists, I'm pretty sure he would've been fine without Universal.

I mean, he wouldn't be this ridiculous phenomenon, but success is measured in strange ways these days. Some would even say that universal ruined his success, so, yeah.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:40pm

While Americans are trying to "protect" something other countries are going ahead with ambitious plans.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-japan-pitches-mind-blowing-high-tech-3d.html
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:42pm

Re: It's his song!
its not youtubes fault
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 3:43pm

Re: Re: Well I'll Be
FUCK YOU TOOO!!!!!
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DS, 1 Dec 2010 @ 4:18pm

Re: Well I'll Be
My thoughts exactly!
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Joshy, 1 Dec 2010 @ 4:44pm

This is like saying water is wet....He doesn't own the songs the rights to the songs the use of the songs etc...In fact if he looks at his contract Universal owns him, his name the rights to his name etc...etc...and he is just a puppet.

Suprised no one mentioned that even the Youtube computers recognize that we are tired of Beiber are trying to put a stop with the madness.
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abc gum, 1 Dec 2010 @ 5:43pm

Re: Well I'll Be
Some Bieber groupie got their panties in a twist ... that's funny.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 5:45pm

like you say in the post, the record label owns the material, not Beiber. He doesn't have the rights to it. Does he even write his own songs? It may be a legitimate reason but he doesn't own the songs even though he sings them, and he needs to get permission from labels before putting the songs up somewhere.
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RandomGuy (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 5:56pm

Never thought I'd say this, but good move Content ID.

Now, if only it'd ban the rights holder from uploading Bieber videos too.
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Dustin Harper, 1 Dec 2010 @ 6:35pm

Yes, the RIAA has really fucked the industry in so many ways. I can't stand Justin Beiber AT ALL, but this is pretty much BS.
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chris, 1 Dec 2010 @ 7:13pm

protecting performers...
But copyright is all about protecting performers, isn't it?

Copyright is all about protecting the lawful owner of the content which, in many cases when you sign a deal with a major record label, isn't the actual performing artist. This says more about the gap between the major label artist and the independent musician pushing his (or her) own tracks through whatever viral media they want than whether YouTube was "right" or "wrong" (legally, they probably were right unless he got permission from his label to post the video).
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Joe, 1 Dec 2010 @ 7:51pm

Re: A Pirate Is A Pirate
he gatta post it somewhere
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Anon, 1 Dec 2010 @ 8:01pm

Re: Re: A Pirate Is A Pirate
So post it in the toilet where it belongs.
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LT, 1 Dec 2010 @ 8:06pm

Maybe..
Maybe YouTube is as sick of him as I am and they were giving him a hint.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 11:51pm

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
Yeah thanks Captain Truism.
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Pontifex (profile), 1 Dec 2010 @ 11:56pm

Man, what's up with all the crazy Beiber fans posting here?
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mike allen (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 12:43am

Re: give me a million dollar to build a bridge, then let me sell the bridge as if its mine.
They are not 'his' songs anymore, he has no right to give them away. And the record company has every right to recoup money that they have invensted in the risk of trying to make a star.

This is precisely what is wrong with the system the record company should never be able to take the copyright of the artist. When will you people learn it is the artist that gets screwed every time.
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marak (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 1:27am

For once im not that annoyed... and yet at the same time am... I think something inside me just broke :s
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Johnny, 2 Dec 2010 @ 1:28am

Re: protecting performers...
Erm, I think Adrian Lopez was being sarcastic.
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charliebrown (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 2:51am

I think a lot of the comment-posters here are missing the point. Yes, Universal owns the music and videos Justin has recorded for Universal whislt under contract to them. Yes, Justin has lost the right to put the videos he has performed on/in up on YouTube. But the point of the article is not whether or not he has the rights to put videos of his newest songs on YouTube - we know he doesn't - but whether or not he should be allowed to.

As much as I don't care for Justin I-Can't-Even-Pronounce-His-Last-Name-Let-Alone-SPELL-It, I do agree that a performing artist should be allowed, if not have the right, to promote themselves to their fans via whatever means they choose. Also, in Justin's case, it's not as if Universal will lose (m)any* sales over the video being on YouTube. (*they may lose some but it would be very few compared to how many they will make).

If I was Justin I'd be making a video addressing my fans explaining why my new video isn't on YouTube.
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SoulChorea, 2 Dec 2010 @ 6:06am

Re:
Actually, no. It's all about protecting corporations.
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Dec 2010 @ 6:25am

Thats what he gets for signing with a large lable instead of going Indie.

Welcome to the blackhole of the RIAA
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 6:42am

Re: Re: Well I'll Be
That might explain their response. If they were in a twist and that was a request they might be hoping I take them off for them.
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Hephaestus (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 7:06am

Re: Re: Re: Well I'll Be
All three of you can go eat sh!t suffer and live ... ;)
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Hephaestus (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 7:09am

Re: Re: justin bieber
DH - Go eat some yogurt ...
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Dyrmyk, 2 Dec 2010 @ 7:55am

Ha! that proves it!
That proves that the copyright laws today are out of date and flawed! (Thank you Justin Beiber for proving my point.)
Which goes to show that people should be allowed to share copyrighted material for free without making any money or profit from it. It's called free promotion, people are not claiming it as their own they are promoting it because they really like it. The copyright laws must be changed to that effect. I and many other people are fed up with this crap.
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nasch (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 9:04am

Re: Cant wait
You EXPECT equal treatment as Disney, or you WISH you could get equal treatment? I think the latter is far more realistic.
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nasch (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 9:06am

Re: Re: On Google's role
If you believe the crapload of lawsuits against [Google], it seems more like they are not doing enough policing of their users.

And if I don't?
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Karl (profile), 2 Dec 2010 @ 12:55pm

Re: Re: Was Bieber old enough to sign a contract?
Anybody needs a free pro tool to make some videos?

Whoa, thanks for this. I hadn't heard about it before. One of the main gaps in open source programs is a lack of professional-level video programs (mostly due to codec licensing). This will certainly help close that gap.

I'm on the Ubuntu Studio forums, I'll see if it's possible to put it in the next LTS version.
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brains, 2 Dec 2010 @ 3:03pm

Copyright law in present form help most the ones that need least help, helps rich corporations and famous artists to become even more rich. Corporations are washing our brains that copyright is a natural property right. Not so! Copyright is a granted monopoly right given by the government on temporary basis with the purpose of promoting creations. This is the purpose expressely written in the US Constitution, and that's why is prohibited that copyrights monopoly hold forever.

The right starting point would be to think what policy promotes more creations and what not. Nobody thinks this way anymore by virtue of brainwashing! The rights of corporations to recoup investments is not the aim of the law. People should make the law for the best of society as a whole, and corporations are welcome to help if they help within such laws. Maximizing corporation profits are not a goal of society!

Point in case, how society was benefited when the US congress extended retroactively the copyrights of Walt Disney or others when they were about to expire, so that they are valid long after the author died? Does such retroactive extension encouraged dear Walt to create more? Such law was equivalent to a cash gift from the tax payer to the corporations. Tthis was only possible thru lavish cash contributions from Walt Disney to the Democrat and Republican party. I am willing to donate 1 million $ to the parties in exchange that they make a law that I'm entitled to copyrigths on the mood. Congress can pass any law they want, so what's not legal about that?
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Eugene (profile), 3 Dec 2010 @ 2:39pm

Re: Re: On Google's role
You mean the someone else's video that he starred in? And that used his own song, which he performed? If that's breaking the law, then it deserves to be broken.
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Rhonda, 3 Dec 2010 @ 5:19pm

I've seen other Universal artists go through the same thing. Tokio Hotel had huge problems with that when they had their backstage webisodes, Tokio Hotel TV. Universal wouldn't let them upload them because they featured their music, so they ended up putting them on their own website to host them.

I've seen the videos go up on Facebook more recently though for other artists.

Interesting.
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IronM@sk, 4 Dec 2010 @ 8:59pm

Re: Re: Well I'll Be
I sure hope Sam is short for Samantha.
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gavin, 6 Feb 2011 @ 11:48am

Re: A Pirate Is A Pirate
i don;t agree with what you say jb can doo anything as far as i see
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Lena, 10 Apr 2011 @ 6:17pm

Thas dumb
What? That's hecka lame. I can't believe utube would do that. OMG jb is so hot. I want to have his baby. I like his hair too. I found out I can get a free ipod if I vote whether or not he haz nice hair here: http://www.justinbieberphonenumber.net does ne 1 no if this is for realz?
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Anik Singal, 28 Feb 2015 @ 4:14am

Re: Well I'll Be
Yes you are right, may be there is a cance.

See this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVbUqFPh8FY
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