google video is a pain in the a**. I had a private video that has leaked out and someone placed it on google video. i am not very happy about this more so because it invades the privacy of a few people and because of the publicity I could get sued in return. In addition the video was cropped to remove any copyright notice to my website, which means I am not reaping ANY benefits even from all the negatives of having this up. I have contacted google about this twice now. First time they didn't respond. Second time they told me to send them a letter. This is ridiculous, becuase youtube (which they have now bought) has been pretty good at removing copyrighted videos. I am thinking if I have to write them, I might as well sue them. Any thoughts on this? Am I just being a bit too reactive to their capability of customer service? Would I just be wasting time to pursue this legally? Thanks!
I've never sued somebody but I'm guessing its a hell of a lot harder (and more expensive) than writing a letter.
Tell them to remove it now while your letter is on the way to them, then mention legal stuff after. They should in all honesty remove it once someone has asked them to whether it be an email or letter.
It's pretty simple, just need to keep asking them to remove the video. Legal action should be a last resource, and most likely it will cost a lot of money for little gain.
How did they get it? If it was hosted on a site, you should have protected it better. If it invades the privacy of some people with the chance of you getting sued, you shouldn't have hosted it in the first place (if it was hosted at all). I think that Google will take it down eventually though.
It's so sad how many people are afraid of Google. They don't own $hit (ok well half the web) but that doesn't mean we are any different. Don't let this big bully scare you.
billions in stock buys a pretty sweet legal team I'm told... Just write them the letter. It'll get taken down, and all will be good..
No. They do not have to do anything until you prove that you are copyright holder. Anyone can send an email demanding that something be taken down from a website. Until they prove that they are the copyright holder, YouTube would be irresponsible to act. There is no requirement that you ask that YouTube take down your video before going to a lawyer. Though, your lawyer is probably going to charge you $90 an hour to write them a letter first. Some lawyers might go straight to court. But, you are unlikely to get anything because YouTube has a policy of removing copyrighted material when the "bona fide" copyright holder makes a formal request for its removal from their site. Make your request in writing and provide proof of copyright ownership. Sign it. Fax it. Mail it. Set a deadline for removal and/or demand reasonable royalties and/or tell them they will need to buy it if they want to keep showing it. If seeking royalties for its continued display. If you display your videos for free on your website -- pitching royalties to YouTube or a judge is going to be more difficult. At any rate -- don't be greedy and don't be cheap. If the deadline is ignored, involve a lawyer or send them an invoice. If the video was there before Google bought YouTube and you knew about it but did nothing . . . your situation will probably be more difficult.