Facebook Announces Its ContentID Attempt... Using Audible Magic

from the because-of-course dept

A few weeks ago we noted that it appeared that Facebook was building its own ContentID system to try to takedown videos copied from elsewhere... and voila, here it is. Facebook has now announced its new system, which is powered by AudibleMagic -- the same company that powers every other such system that is not Google's ContentID. Audible Magic is the "default." It's basically the "buying IBM" of content/copyright filtering. And it tends to be pretty bad. Facebook notes that its videos are already run through Audible Magic and that has basically done nothing. So they're "working with Audible Magic to enhance the way the system works."

We'll see what that means in practice, but I expect there will be plenty of false positives and complaints about people's perfectly legitimate videos getting taken down. But, that's what happens when you live in a world where people censor first and ask questions later. Even worse, it appears that some of the new tools will only be available to a special class of Facebook users:
To this end, we have been building new video matching technology that will be available to a subset of creators. This technology is tailored to our platform, and will allow these creators to identify matches of their videos on Facebook across Pages, profiles, groups, and geographies. Our matching tool will evaluate millions of video uploads quickly and accurately, and when matches are surfaced, publishers will be able to report them to us for removal.

We will soon begin testing the beta version of this matching technology with a small group of partners, including media companies, multi-channel networks and individual video creators.
It's clear why Facebook is doing this, but it seems that following Google down this path is a pretty weak solution, rather than building something better, that doesn't take a "censor first" approach to things.
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Filed Under: contentid, copyright, infringement, takedowns
Companies: audible magic, facebook


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  • identicon
    Christenson, 1 Sep 2015 @ 3:47pm

    Some Creators Are More Equal Than Others

    Especially the MPAA, Sony, Disney, and Co.

    Sorry little guys!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:01pm

    I can see the future!

    It will block millions and millions and millions of infringements. But then there will be a handful of blocks that are arguably in error. And Mike will report on these alleged errors, while completely ignoring all of the millions and millions and millions of legitimate blocks.

    Right, Mike?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:47pm

      @ "But then there will be a handful of blocks that are arguably in error."

      Right. And Masnick will be all over those anomalies!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 9:15pm

        Re: @

        At this point we have enough anomalies to build an object visible from space. It's gettin to the point that I don't think that word means what you think it means.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ottermaton (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:59pm

      Re:

      And Mike will report on these alleged errors, while completely ignoring all of the millions and millions and millions of legitimate blocks.

      Gee, there's a GREAT business opportunity there. After all, there's nothing more the public likes reading about than big corporations crushing Fair Use and/or preventing works from entering the Public Domain, or thin-skinned people using IP to censor others. Everybody loves reading about that sort of thing. And, according to you, you have millions and millions more opportunities to write a story fits that mold. Can't wait to start reading your blog! What's the URL?

      At least it would keep you busy enough to prevent you from writing comments here and interrupting the intelligent people.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Roger Strong (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:17pm

      Re:

      Nope. Experience says otherwise.

      There will be a significant percentage that are arguably in error. And there will be a significant percentage that are certainly in error. These will be so common that they'll get nary a mention.

      What Mike will report will the utterly ridiculous outliers that a merely incompetent and unreliable ContentID system can't explain. Something with a whole new twist on DMCA abuse and fraud.

      It's just that even these are not rare.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 8:40am

        Re: Re:

        Exactly, the only ones that get widely reported are the high profile ones. What about all the many many low profile false positives.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Roger Strong (profile), 2 Sep 2015 @ 10:46am

          Re: Re: Re:

          Even the most well-established traditional news service doesn't report every individual case of drunk driving or identity theft.

          They do however report the statistics and trends. A 200% rise in identity theft or a new method of doing so, is front page material. An individual case of identity theft among many is not. Unless that case has an aspect that sets it apart from the rest.

          Which is what Techdirt is doing also. It works.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:48pm

      'Everything is fine' ISN"T noteworthy, 'Something screwed up' IS

      'Most DMCA/copyright claims are legitimate, clearly pointing out the ones that aren't is unwarranted.'

      Let's apply that logic elsewhere shall we?

      'Most cars don't spontaneously explode, clearly if a handful do pointing this fact out is unwarranted.'

      'Most food isn't contaminated, clearly if some of it is pointing this fact out is unwarranted.'

      'Most acts of copyright infringement don't cause any notable economic harm, clearly pointing out when some of it does is unwarranted.'

      'Most posts blocked by the spam filter are actually spam, clearly pointing out the few that aren't is unwarranted.'

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 9:26am

        Re: 'Everything is fine' ISN"T noteworthy, 'Something screwed up' IS

        Most cops are good but pointing out the bad ones that shoot people for no reason is clearly unwarranted.

        The problem isn't that there are a few bad cops it's that cops that do bad things too often don't get punished. It's the same thing here. Those that file bogus takedowns usually have little to fear because we hardly ever see consequences. A system that doesn't punish those for wrongdoing is one that encourages and hence results in it.

        Yet woe onto those that host infringing content or infringe.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:58pm

      Re:

      Because somehow Facebook is the new Megaupload, the devil of all filesharing sites?

      Wow, what an idiot you are.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 6:14pm

      Re:

      So how many "alleged" (funny how you can't even admit that they exist) errors is too many for you?

      I'm going to guess there is no amount.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 6:31pm

      Re:

      Because the end justifies the means - am I right anonymous coward?

      I'm sure you are quite fine with a few false positives resulting in devastation for those few unlucky individuals ... at least until it is you being falsely accused. Because that is the end of the world as you know it and justice must be served at all costs! Everything changes when it is YOU.

      amirite?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 9:17pm

      Response to: Anonymous Coward on Sep 1st, 2015 @ 4:01pm

      Or you will just whine and cry as the adults discuss the flaws inherent in the blocking system.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 5:25am

      Re:

      You know that AFACT and NZFACT camapign on the TV last year?

      The one that committed copyright infringment, then claimed it was ,"an innocent mistake"?

      ...Yeah.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 9:02am

      Re:

      While the only one's that will get reported are the high profile ones while many perfectly bogus takedowns will not get widely reported the problem is that there are usually very little to no consequences for those who do file bogus takedowns. They either never get punished or, in the rare instances they do, the punishment is far less than the punishment for infringement when the exact opposite should be true. What kind of example does this set? It sets the example that it's OK to file bogus takedowns but it's not OK to ignore those that tend to file bogus takedowns lest the law punish you.

      The issue we're having is the one sided penalty structure that encourages bogus takedowns because service providers and everyone is more afraid of running afoul anti-infringement laws and those filing bogus takedowns usually have little to fear in the way of consequences. This naturally lends itself to many bogus takedowns which is what we are seeing and not just the high profile ones but the many many low profile ones that don't get reported. A system that encourages this kind of behavior is one that results in it. What needs to change is the penalty structure and we need to start seeing real punishment against those that file bogus takedowns, punishments at least equal to and preferably greater than the punishment of infringement. But as long as Hollywood is undemocratically writing the laws we have our current system and so, yes, Techdirt is in the right to complain whenever our system encourages more bad contentID systems with little punishment against those that do take down content fallaciously.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:14pm

    AudibleMagic
    Killed JustinTV , As a former broadcaster who only played films that were in the public domain I had my ip and MAC blocked at least once a week by the bots .. garbage programs.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:45pm

    That's what happens when you live in a world where people steal first and deny later.

    That's the primary problem, not your slant of "a world where people censor first and ask questions later".

    You, who claim to support copyright, don't in any way or degree support the actual exercise of rights by creators. (Unless it's "Dan Bull" who foolishly gave away content and then still yells when it's taken and monetized by others!)

    You're no doubt responsible for some small number of people (a couple dozen, two being greasy blob Kim Dotcom) who've taken the work of others and advertised it as if their own to gain credit and money (up to millions). You're the "intellectual" enabler with fancy degree who excuses theft of content... But even Facebook doesn't agree with your piratey ways! FACEBOOK has a better stance on protecting copyrighted works than you! FACEBOOK!

    By the way, Google is ahead on its ContentID only because that implements its thefts; like stripping headlines, a way to grift value from works others have made...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 4:49pm

      Re: That's what happens when you live in a world where people steal first and deny later.

      Second opportunity for the kids to click "report" and censor. -- IF was actually a "report" button, then it would ONLY report and administrator would have to okay it before any effect, right?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Admin, 3 Sep 2015 @ 6:09am

        Re: Re: That's what happens when you live in a world where people steal first and deny later.

        I do. It's just that your post is a useless pile of crap and it takes all of three seconds to decide to collapse it.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ottermaton (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:02pm

      Re: Queue the clueless

      ... who feed the troll.

      Report 'em all, I say.

      (Yes, that even includes me)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        CK20XX (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 9:49pm

        Re: Re: Queue the clueless

        I now have a mental image of a Techdirt kegger where everyone passes around downvotes while laughing themselves sick at troll comments.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 5:13am

        Re: Re: Queue the clueless

        Who fed the troll first then?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:41pm

    So Facebook, who built their empire on people sharing stuff, is now implementing something to prevent people from sharing stuff.

    Seems like a great idea. You go, Facebook.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:46pm

    I used to work at a major media company and I worked on integrating both contentid (starting when it was brand new) and audible magic. Neither worked particularly well but at least it did seem like contentid and the processes around it were actively being developed and improved. Audible magic? Not so much. Ultimately, regardless of how sophisticated the technology gets to identify content it's still a losing battle that's simply not worth the energy spent on it. People at the top didn't want to hear about how we were trying to damn a raging river using pebbles and thimbles and how it would be better to devote our energy into something more productive and going WITH the current. Ultimately it was so disheartening and just sad I left. Anyways....I'm sure fb implementation of this will also suck but so does Facebook in general.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Sheogorath (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:55pm

    Facebook notes that its videos are already run through Audible Magic and that has basically done nothing. So they're "working with Audible Magic to enhance the way the system works."
    Okay, which fool decided to go with Audible 'Magic' instead of simply licensing ContentID? (-_Q)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      L, 2 Sep 2015 @ 4:13pm

      Re:

      AudibleMagic is the gold standard in the space of content ID. They have an extremely low FP rate that competitors cannot match. It's nothing but the right choice for what FB is trying to do. There is some work that FB needs to put in to enhance how the system works for them.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Sheogorath (profile), 3 Sep 2015 @ 1:51pm

        Re: Re:

        You have an excellent point. :D Of course, it would be better if there was a law to make each rights holder used automated systems directly if they feel the need to use them and to have a team of humans to examine each flag before submitting the related complaint.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Sep 2015 @ 5:58pm

    antidirt and out_of_the_blue just can't stand it when due process is enforced.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Sheogorath (profile), 1 Sep 2015 @ 8:43pm

      Re:

      antidirt and out_of_the_blue just love it when due process is enforced only when the corrupt benefit from such enforcement, especially their paymasters.
      FTFY. ;)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 1:49am

    If facebook suddenly starts pulling peoples vids that they have just shared with their friends because theres 'copyrighted music' playing in the background based on someone who's not on their friend list viewing the video and deciding so there will be a massive backlash.

    OF course if someone pulls a dodgy copy of the frozen movie from a public page called 'dodgy frozen movie page' then I've no objection.

    Its not how far you go, its how go you far...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 4:57am

      Re:

      Will ButtBook remove videos of bird song originally recorded by the person who uploaded it to BB?

      And then when challenged reaffirm said take down claiming that a human has reviewed and confirmed that it is infringing?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    andy, 2 Sep 2015 @ 2:07am

    HOPE!!!

    Maybe , just maybe this is the straw that will break copyright owners backs, i believe we all now that eventually they would go one step too far and this might just be it, Youtube is not a social network, it is a network of content creators uploading content and some comments.

    Facebook is a social network where people love to get together to protest and raise an unrepresented amount of support for their cause, oh...and they love a good cause.

    Maybe with the backlash Facebook will see for this , just maybe google will also become very worried and stop censoring blindly.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 2:20am

    Doesn't take a whole lot of reading here before you realize nothing throws a dagger of debilitating fear at the owner of this site like copyright law enforcement.

    BOO!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 2:56am

      Re:

      Copyright law enforcement... right, like what John Steele and Evan Stone were involved in. How intimidating it is to see sabers being rattled at grandmothers to get them to pay up!

      Seriously, antidirt, if you're going to troll via TOR IP addresses (again, you filthy TOR-using pirate, you), why bother having an account?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 2 Sep 2015 @ 4:43am

      Strawmen are for farms, not comments

      The 'copyright enforcement' discussed most often on this site is to legitimate 'enforcement' or 'protection' of copyright as attacking everyone that walks past your house(while leaving the back door both unlocked and open) is to 'protecting' yourself from home invaders.

      Ludicrously inaccurate, harmful to tons of innocent parties, and if it does catch someone actually guilty of the crime in question, it's only purely by luck.

      If those trying to 'protect' their 'holy' copyrights showed even the slightest bit of restraint, honesty or accuracy, they wouldn't get mentioned on TD so often. That they show none of the above however means that they do end up being discussed fairly regularly. Got a problem with it, blame them, not TD.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 7:06am

      Re:

      If by "copyright law enforcement"
      you actually mean censorship,
      and by " debilitating fear"
      you actually mean concern,
      then yeah.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 8:54am

      Re:

      Whined the chicken impersonator.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Sheogorath (profile), 4 Sep 2015 @ 4:06am

      Re:

      Wow, sounds like you've finally moved on from barnyard noises. Not that the ghost train noises are much better.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Hugo Chavez, 2 Sep 2015 @ 3:33am

    Hey Bill Clinton, I've reserved you a spot next to me here in the Lake of Fire. It's ok, you totally deserve it for signing the DMCA into law, and thus unleashing a massive torrent (pun intended) of bullshit, fraud, abuse, and most of all, censorship in "the land of the free." Don't fret too much, you can have fire-side chats and sit by the lake- at the same time!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Sep 2015 @ 2:58pm

    Facetube - Delete Yourself

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    B, 2 Sep 2015 @ 4:16pm

    This is such a crappy article and without any merit

    The writer of this article has no clue what he or she is talking about. I dont think he/she knows how technology like this works and what needs to happen to get it to work. Man, you should really get your facts straight since you claim to be a tech writer.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 2 Sep 2015 @ 4:48pm

      Such a superb comment

      What an amazingly well thought out and presented comment. Really, your various points, all exhaustively cited and backed up by other sources, and your downright eloquently written arguments certainly convinced me of the rightness of your point, bravo.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Sheogorath (profile), 3 Sep 2015 @ 1:56pm

      Such a superb comment

      What an amazingly well thought out and presented comment. Really, your various points, all exhaustively cited and backed up by other sources, and your downright eloquently written arguments certainly convinced me of the rightness of your point, bravo.
      Quoted for truth, keeping the sarcastic tone intact.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    toyotabedzrock (profile), 2 Sep 2015 @ 10:24pm

    I just watched a video of a guy who can imitate many different singers, I wonder if he will be caught by this.

    And when will someone just created a special codec to make garbled videos that can be restored on playback?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Sep 2015 @ 11:23am

    Tbh facebook is now just fake profiles with people 'pretending' to the world to fool their grandma / bosses.
    1 billion users? hah! the real money moved on long ago..

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Hadtu Ben Dover, 7 Sep 2015 @ 3:20pm

    bitch-slapped

    Seems like facefucknutbook has been bitch-slapped around a bit by the government.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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