YouTube > MySite > Watermark

Hey

Does anyone know if this is simple?

I want to get a video from YouTube, add a watermark, then stream it on my site. The only reason I need to do this is because YouTube keep taking videos down

 

To add a watermark to it you will first have to save that video but i dont know if you can save videos from youtube to your computer.

 

And that's most likely copyright infringement.

 

you're saying that me taking content from YouTube is copyright infringement? lol

anyway i found http://www.videodownloader.net to download the videos in .FLV format.

 

You may also want to look into a program like riva encoder to turn the flv file into a more usable format like avi or mpeg.

 

Yep, I wouldn't download any video from YouTube and post it on my site. Just because YouTube isn't sued, it doesn't mean that you won't be... if the owner finds you... or they may sue both...
It all depends on the video you are downloading.

 

If you recieve a complaint just take it down. The same action that YouTube probably take.

 

I disagree, YouTube has lawyers that help them "Just take it down." I feel that an individual without the same funds and power as google would be more prone to a lawsuit. That is just my .02

 

Also I would never watermark content that isnt my own, how would you like people stealing your videos and puting their watermark on it?

 

there is a firefox addon for doing exactly this.. it works perfectly.

its called Videodownloader.

 

I think the Original poster has found how to get a youtube video but what about the watermarking. I'm interested in watermarking my own content. How would I go about this?

 

you need to use a video editing software..
the one that comes free with windows is actualy okay.

although i also like Sony Vegas 7.

 

I'm telling you, this could become bigger than you think it will. It isn't your own property, and you are technically stealing it and making it your own by adding a water mark. You are just asking for a lawsuit.

And I think most everyone here is backing me up on this, so why don't you "lol" at them too?

 

The girls gone wild guy got nailed with some big fines because some of the gals were two young.

But the over age girls that sued lost; becasue, when you do stuff in public it is public.

Sadly you can be inocent of wrong doing and if someone files a suit you can have to pay a court fee just to get your side entered in or you can lose on default even if your in the right.

Sadly we have a legal system instead of a justice system folks.

Now altering someone elses video. I agree that sounds theftish. But pariody is permitted to a degree. Are you doing it for fun or comercial gain? If your doing it for fun I think it should be Koshar. And that may be what your thinking. But it is insult upon injury to have to pay a court fee if someone sues you.

 

I worked out the watermarking thing. Put your chosen watermark in Paint, make the backgrond black, save it as a BMP, make sure it's the right one and then use a free program like VirtualDubMod and go from there. If you look up watermarking videos there is a peice of information on it about this method. It could be quite risky I agree what you might be letting yourself into.

 

There is a big legal difference between YouTube, Google Video or anyone else allowing you to embed a video from their site and someone taking the source video, re-branding it, and distributing it again (which is what publishing it is doing).

That's not legal advice. I'm not a lawyer. But that is common sense.

Every embed by the way is an external link from your site to YouTube or whichever site is providing the file. Any wonder how YouTube got a PR of 8?

You are better off creating or licensing your own videos (or MP3s or whatever) and allowing others to embed them. If you do, it is pure link bait, assuming anyone cares.

 

I can see what you're saying with regards to adding my own logo.

Perhaps I need the flash player on my website to automatically add a transparent image with my URL so that if the video is shared the URL is also promoted. And if the video is downloaded from my site then there is no logo.

This is what YouTube do.

 

It might be some kind of script, I expect for them to add it.

 

No, thats not really what YouTube did. Users submit videos to them, and they watermark them on the fly (through the video player). They didn't steal others videos to promote their own site.

 

First off sites like YouTube didn't go stealing videos. The owner of the videos UPLOADED their own stuff and by doing so agreed to the terms and conditions of the site they UPLOADED their stuff to. And if someone is found uploading content they don't have rights to or permission to upload then it's removed and whatever other consequences follow. So what you intend to do is something entirely different from a YouTube like site. If you want to stick your watermark on other people's video then you need to run a site like YouTube and such and have a well typed out terms and conditions and so forth regarding that issue. Either that or make sure you get the written AND signed permission from the owner of the video that you want to use their content on your website and add your watermark to it. Make sure adding your watermark to their content is in the agreement. But more than likely they'll reject your request and maybe even laugh at you unless you offer to pay them for their content. Something you think is so small can cost you a whole lot. The question is, is it worth it? Do you have a heap of money set aside to fork over to the owners of the videos you seek to steal from and add your own watermark to it in the event you get sued? Because you will lose. Too easy. You'd be giving the owners an extremely easy way to make some serious cash if you steal their stuff. Now if you want to be an ATM machine for them and end up finding yourself broke beyond means, go right on ahead and illegally take their stuff. You can't say you weren't warned. Copyright laws apply even if you don't use the content for commercial use. The law is very clear on that. Besides what if the owner decides to start selling their content. And well because you didn't know because you didn't ask them to use their content to begin with, then you are causing them to lose sales (that's money and more money they can sue for damages on that as well) because you're offering their same content for free. You see, so you lose either way. Why run the risk? It's a no brainer... just ask! Save yourself A LOT trouble!

EDIT: Here's a site you'll want to read THOROUGHLY - http://www.copyright.gov