Did ICE Pirate An Anti-Piracy Video From NYC?

from the what's-wrong,-can't-make-your-own? dept

Thu, Apr 7th 2011 2:32pm — Mike Masnick

You may recall a few months back we wrote about an NBC Universal backed campaign paid for with NYC taxpayer dollars to put up anti-piracy propaganda around NYC, based on the blatantly false claim that "there's no such thing as a free movie." Ironically, the makers of the propaganda videos had no trouble using the "free" YouTube to host the videos telling people there's no such thing as a free movie. SD points us to the news that Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) group has now posted the same video... stripped of references to New York City to its YouTube channel, and put a thing at the end asking people to send infringement notifications to ICE. While I'm sure that ICE got permission from NYC to use these videos (and yes, the headline above is joking), it does seem a bit weird that it would just copy someone else's anti-piracy videos. Considering the pro-copyright defenders around here are always arguing that copying like this is bad when you could "just create your own," will they now say that ICE should have created its own propaganda videos as well? In the meantime, is anyone else disturbed that taxpayer money is being used to fund clearly misleading (or downright dishonest) propaganda videos designed to protect a particular industry?

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Filed Under: create your own, ice, propaganda

60 Comments

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vivaelamor (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 2:07pm

Joke
"and yes, the headline above is joking"

That'll avoid a lot of unnecessary comments.
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- The eejit (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 2:29pm
  
  Re: Joke
  Your sarcasm astounds me. :p
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  - Dark Helmet (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 2:40pm
    
    Re: Re: Joke
    Or else his naivette gives me hope....
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- Anonymous Coward, 8 Apr 2011 @ 10:52am
  
  Re: Joke
  You mean like references to "The Ice Pirates"?
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Planespotter (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 2:45pm

Maybe Youtube should take a proactive approach to this film? The industry keep saying that Youtube should be able to tell what does and doesn't infringe, maybe they should pull the ICE version and just say that they believed it infringed on the NYC version.
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- ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 5:00pm
  
  Re:
  I'm REALLY tempted to send a DMCA takedown notice here. Sure, I don't own the rights, but it's not like anything happens to anyone who does this crap.
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  - RD, 7 Apr 2011 @ 5:22pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "I'm REALLY tempted to send a DMCA takedown notice here. Sure, I don't own the rights, but it's not like anything happens to anyone who does this crap."
    
    Ever notice how the big shilltard/copytards dont have any problem with this too? No one ever addresses this inequity in the law that hands so much power to so few with zero reprecussions against the good of the public.
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Dave, 7 Apr 2011 @ 2:57pm

I dunno: I'd object more to ICE using MORE taxpayer $$$ to create new video, rather than using footage already created by another gov't agency.
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- :Lobo Santo (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:09pm
  
  Re:
  I think I generally object to ICE being at all government funded. They're doing the MAFIAA's work, so why is public money being used to fund them?!?
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  - ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:57pm
    
    Re: Re:
    And this is the point where I realized Lessig was right. You can't fight this without confronting corruption first.
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- SD (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:46pm
  
  Re:
  They should make a new video that's clear and concise instead of spreading this union patronizing straw man FUD. They're hiding the fact that movie studios have the final say in who they employ, not the pirates. Sadly, when the MPAA's talking points are parroted by the government more people are likely to believe it's true.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:04pm

Not quite snarky enough, Masnick. Demonize harder.
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- Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:13pm
  
  Re:
  Not enough FUD from you, Troll harder.
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Anonymous Coward's raped mother, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:23pm

ICE and now DHS are nothing more than establishments for tax payers to fund big businesses interests.

It's exploitive and corrupt.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:39pm

Shame comments aren't allowed....
I'm amazed someone hasn't re-used the footage and made a parody video.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:42pm

I've just flagged the video as inappropriate.
What's good for the goose....
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- Chris Rhodes (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:16pm
  
  Re:
  Haha, well done, sir.
  
  Did they secure the rights to the video? Who knows! That's never stopped the *IAA in the past, though, so I say, send them a DMCA notice!
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:46pm

I think it's funny how this time around the comments and votes are disabled.
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- SD (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:37pm
  
  Re:
  It's funnier when censoring happens in real time in an "open" thread. Right before YouTube broadcasted President Obama's first live speech about the Libya intervention, they linked to his weekly address from a few days back on the top of every YouTube page. The speech was scheduled way too close to 4:20 on the west coast. People in the comments thread were complaining about a lot of different subjects, but the comments with the most upvotes were always about legalizing marijuana. Each were deleted as fast as they came up, while other people started dissing the censors in the comments. I might be wrong, but I think ICE decided to disable comments on all of their videos when they read someone's comment that said "this pig even looks like a pig", which was left up for a few months. You can't expect everyone to be classy on there...
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iamtheky (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:51pm

Assuming the urban dictionary definition of FUD makes the overuse of the acronym slightly more tolerable.
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PRMan, 7 Apr 2011 @ 3:52pm

Idea
Can we get people to stand under the propaganda signs in NYC and hand out copies of Sita Sings the Blues on DVD? It would be a lot of fun to do that for a day.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:29pm

Considering the pro-copyright defenders around here are always arguing that copying like this is bad when you could "just create your own," will they now say that ICE should have created its own propaganda videos as well?

Perhaps you would be so kind as to point to posts where "pro-copyright defenders" have argured that copying (or any of the other rights accorded pursuant to Title 17) with the assent of a copyright holder is bad.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:30pm

Considering the pro-copyright defenders around here are always arguing that copying like this is bad when you could "just create your own," will they now say that ICE should have created its own propaganda videos as well?

Perhaps you would be so kind as to point to posts where "pro-copyright defenders" have argured that copying (or any of the other rights accorded pursuant to Title 17) with the assent of a copyright holder is bad.
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- Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:38pm
  
  Re:
  Perhaps you be so kind to explain why people should have to ask for permission or assent from anybody to share anything?
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  - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:58pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Perhaps you would be so kind as to let the author of the quote answer for himself since, after all, the comment was directed to him.
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    - Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 5:07pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Perhaps you be so kind and answer the question directed at you, while you await your answer from the person you directed your question to, since after all my query was not an answer to your original question and I possess no powers that would inhibit such action if he so chooses to do so.
      
      LoL
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  - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 5:13pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Hmm, maybe I should go online and get into your bank account. I've decided I don't need to ask permission for you to share your money with me.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 5:39pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      If you would be so kind as to not have a false dichotomy, we could continue the conversation.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - RD, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:03pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "Hmm, maybe I should go online and get into your bank account. I've decided I don't need to ask permission for you to share your money with me."
      
      Yeah, because money is exactly like file sharing and infringement.
      
      Is it any wonder no progress can be made on this topic with complete idiots arguing their side like this? They actually believe the shit they are shoveling. It would be amazing if it wasnt so pathetically sad.
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      - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:17pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Apparently the analogy works well, as you were forced to resort to ad hominem rather than disprove the analogy with facts.
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        Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:26pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        What facts?
        
        That copyright is absurd?
        
        Did you paid your house creator for sharing your house with your family and friends already?
        
        Did you paid your car creator for the use of that car in different cities?
        
        Did you paid your furniture manufacture for every instance that furniture was used?
        
        Nope, so why should anybody pay you for equally absurd claims by idiots like you?
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        Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:48pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Hmmm...
        
        This must mean that when I rent something I only need to make a single payment......
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        Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 8:07pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        This must mean you are just an idiot.
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        The eejit (profile), 7 Apr 2011 @ 11:48pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Yay for reductio ad absurdum.
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        Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:49pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        If you were to reword this so it makes some sense, I might respond.
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        Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 8:07pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Only if you reword that nonsense of yours first.
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        Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:38pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Real theft is getting paid and then forcing others to paid it again for what they have already paid once.
        
        The real thieves are people like you, that try to impose a set of ridiculous rules that are unenforceable onto others that don't want it.
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    - Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:22pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Sure, after you paid the people who build your house, car and furniture what you own them.
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    - Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:47pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Can you get inside my bank account and duplicate the money in there so both of us have the same amount of it in the end?
      
      Yep I have no problems with you sharing my bank account in that manner.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 7:33pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I have some nice digital money for you. For free! Where do you want me to email this digital money to? It's just a copy, not any of the originals.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 6:43pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I am confident this is a question your parents answered during your formative years.
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    - Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 8:09pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      No they didn't, but that is not the point.
      I want to know if you parents taught you anything useful.
      Did or did they not?
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      - Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 8:26pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Mine did, as certainly yours did as well.
        
        The fact the question was not answered by them is a bit troubling, however. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to ask them.
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        Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 9:42pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Only if you teach me how to communicate with the dead.
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        Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 9:53pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Sadly, all of us will eventually face the reality of our mortality and that of the ones closest to us. My sympathies that you apparently experienced this much earlier than most.
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- vivaelamor (profile), 8 Apr 2011 @ 1:56am
  
  Re:
  'Perhaps you would be so kind as to point to posts where "pro-copyright defenders" have argured that copying (or any of the other rights accorded pursuant to Title 17) with the assent of a copyright holder is bad.'
  
  Perhaps if you all would be kind enough to give names then we'd be able to find them easier.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 8 Apr 2011 @ 8:17am
    
    Re: Re:
    The author here made this claim, so I am asking him for instances that underlie the basis for his claim.
    
    To my knowledge no one has ever made such a claim, so it seems only appropriate that he back it up with at least some modicum of data.
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    - vivaelamor (profile), 8 Apr 2011 @ 3:19pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "To my knowledge no one has ever made such a claim, so it seems only appropriate that he back it up with at least some modicum of data."
      
      Re-reading what he said, I can see your point. Still, plenty of pro-copyright people have said way crazier stuff so I wouldn't be surprised if he was referring to an actual opinion. You can pretty much pick any Darryl post and interpret it to mean anything.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:32pm

Not sure why the double post. Sent only once, but, then again, just installed IE9, which has changed the interface in many locations.
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Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:34pm

You Are A Pirate Parody
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Nicedoggy, 7 Apr 2011 @ 4:47pm

Forgot the other part:

Pursuant to human history and traditions.
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Dohn Joe, 7 Apr 2011 @ 9:19pm

Enough Flogging this Dead Horse
I see your point in the article Mike, but really? A deceiving heading just to beat this dead horse a little more? Techdirt readers deserve better than that!
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Ed C., 7 Apr 2011 @ 9:56pm

Flagged it
Thanks for pointing out the video. I flagged it as "spam". ;)
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- Anonymous Coward, 8 Apr 2011 @ 7:49am
  
  Re: Flagged it
  Flagged. Go Go TD Community!!!
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 8 Apr 2011 @ 7:11am

Nicedoggy?
Anyone else notice that the user Nicedoggy has 5 or so different snowflakes here?
The interesting part is that as far as I can tell it actually was one person doing all the posting. The argument never flip flops coming from just Nicedoggy.
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- Nicedoggy, 8 Apr 2011 @ 8:00am
  
  Re: Nicedoggy?
  https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en
  https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/add on/torbutton/
  
  You can do it too its easy.
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  - Killer_Tofu (profile), 8 Apr 2011 @ 11:11am
    
    Re: Re: Nicedoggy?
    I almost wanted to ask if it was Tor.
    Heard a lot about it but haven't used it. Thank you for the links. =)
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  - Nicedoggy, 8 Apr 2011 @ 12:19pm
    
    Re: Re: Nicedoggy?
    Nice try imposter. The real Nicedoggy uses his dialup home internet connection.
    
    Mike checked your IP address and it's not even a Tor exit node it's I2P. So you are an imposter and a liar.
    
    BRB I need to go make a phone call.
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RobShaver, 8 Apr 2011 @ 11:04am

Flag it
I just flagged it as misleading. Wonder if I'll get any flak?
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Apr 2011 @ 11:06am

So instead of directly giving money over to the **AA et al, the government will simply pay its expenses for them by funding their activities. Sounds like a subsidy to me.
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