Performance Rights Group Takes Down YouTube Video Of Auschwitz Survivor Dancing To 'I Will Survive' At Aushwitz

from the ah,-copyright dept

Benny6Toes points us to a story about an Auschwitz survivor, who went back to Auswitz with his grandkids and recently filmed a video of them dancing to Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive -- as a way to celebrate life and the ability to overcome obstacles. The story is about the basic controversy over the video, as some folks find it offensive and others find it heartwarming. However, Benny notes that the video has been taken down. The video attached to that HuffPo story, when you click on it, says "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim made by APRA." APRA is a performance rights group for Australia, which raises a few questions as to why they're able to take down a video for the rest of the world. It's also not entirely clear if this was a YouTube ContentID match or a DMCA takedown (it would be nice if YouTube actually came out and said which one).

Defenders of such a takedown will, I'm sure, point out that they used the whole song without permission. However, this is clearly not a commercial venture, and is really an attempt to give a life-affirming message. It's not as if they would have paid for the song otherwise. There is no money being "lost" here. In the meantime, it looks like the family has reposted the video while warning that it will likely get taken down again soon. At the time I write this, it is working: Personally, I think this is the type of endeavor that copyright was supposed to encourage, not hinder. But what do I know?

Filed Under: aushwitz, i will survive, takedown, youtube
Companies: apra