Hi guys. Movie streaming sites is a big question mark and causes a lot of confusion for webmasters in relation to the law. I do have some advertizing spaces purchased on such sites, from which i run other movie affiliate programs on. But could i be liable? This is a thread for anyone to post relevant information on this. Because its a big topic. And its hard to find information on or opinions from people who know things about it.
Focus on the legality of the content. It's the main issue with this kind of services. If they have right to stream it -- should be ok. By the way, I assumed you are marketer -- what is your concern on this subject pls clarify?
If im advertizing movie affiliate programs on movie streaming sites? And im not promoting individual movies, thus not breaking copyright? Im not legally liable right? Its a question i have wanted to quell for a long time....
When dealing with movies or music, the issue of copyright violations is a major point of confusion. However in recent years clarification has been a work in progress, especially with sites such as YouTube. In regards to your question. You are only liable if you participate in the following: 1) Are providing streaming video access to video that is copyrighted WITHOUT the permission of the video creators / company. (Meaning you are hosting the videos and providing access to them) 2) In your ads, you show portions of video from copyrighted sources, without permission from the video creators / company. 3) In some places it is now illegal to advertise sites that provide streaming videos illegally. (Previously it was legal to link to videos or sites that were provided illegally) However now they can charge people with promoting illegal activity if you advertise such a site that shows videos without the proper permission. For further information regarding copyright issues dealing with movies, please check out http://www.movlic.com/library/copyright.html which also provides a link to the Federal Copyright Act. Hope this helps
Your own personal video or video shot by yourself is legal. Rest all music videos, movie clips even other people's personal video are not legal to share it on your own site. Unless you have written or verbal consent from the video owner
Hmm interesting that? So promoting affiliate program banners such as Graboid is that illegal? Or other clickbank movie affiliate services.
That depends on where you live and the laws in that jurisdiction. They are not cracking down on advertising that much due to bigger problems. However if the site gets noticed by the government, they have basically made it where they can go in and shut it down by every mean possible, including targeting those that advertise for it.
Affiliates are fine. There is no way affiliates can really be touched. Unless there branding specific movies. E.G "Download Twilight", thats trademark breach and illegal. But "Download Movies" isn't.
talk to a lawyer in your country. We can't give you advise if we don't know the legislation of your country. I can tell you that in mine for instance promoting illegal activities (ie linking to warez sites) is illegal. The copyright law has a special mention about this explicitly stating that promoting infringing content is a felony.
All movie sites are Illegal, even if you are just linking to the movies and not hosting anything. I mean look what happened to the owner of TvLinks, his website was taken down, he was sued and sent to jail!
Please get your facts straight before you contribute. 99% of movie streaming sites out there aren't illegal. They don't host any videos. There just linking. Even google is linking to these movies.
if i only put this link on my site, will i still get sued? http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNzEwMzE5OTI=.html
Okay. Im finding it hard to believe. That someone who advertizes Netlifx or Graboid with a banner. Just saying Movies. Not a specific movie. Not breaching copyright. Can be in the wrong. To me that just seems like normal affiliate program advertizing.
This is bullshit. According to what I have heard in the past, it doesn't matter that you don't host any videos, you INTENTIONALLY link to pages that contain copyrighted material and you must remove the links if asked from the copyright owners. Of course for more accurate information you should reffer to the laws of the country where the hosting server resides. Seriously guys, you care too much.