HERCULES (1958), starring Steve Reeves and directed by Pietro Francisci, is a public domain film in North America. It's been like this for a long time. The film has been available on Youtube from TONS of different sources since it's a decent film that everyone can upload. Not anymore. Yesterday, I got a message from Youtube (above) that the only clip I had uploaded at my Youtube channel was now blocked worldwide. A company named ONE rpm Entertainment have claimed copyright infringement. Who are they? I have no idea but after looking into it, they're a third party who makes these claims on behalf of a subscriber to their services. So trying to figure out who exactly made this bogus claim is impossible.
I'm not the only one who's affected by this. As I've mentioned, HERCULES was available from tons of channels. Below, the screenshot on the left was taken yesterday. The screenshot on the right was taken today. So the channel VULTURE, which had the film yesterday, doesn't have HERCULES anymore. There are only two channels left that have it, AMPOPFILMS and RBM pictures (the other one is a Spanish version...I don't know if other languages are affected by this). I suspect it's one of these two channels that made this bogus claim.
Youtube is clearly becoming almost impossible to use. HERCULES is my favourite PEPLUM film, and one I should have at my PEPLUM TV channel, and yet I can't upload it because a shady company claims it has the rights to it. Even before this, there were two other companies that claimed it, including the company that manages the MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000) series. It's getting bad!
So sorry to hear. YT is now catering more to "useless" original content. Channel like yours offers much information and history, a shame that "vultures" out there keep on using bogus copyright claims which unfortunately YT must have no resources to confirm.
ReplyDeleteShame! Shame! Shame!
Very disturbing business indeed!
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to appeal YouTube's decision? What about demanding that the copyright claimant submit evidence of his claim?
Would an online petition to YouTube be helpful?
I have sent an E-mail to YouTube strongly complaining about their policy of not verifying copyright claims. If I get a response I will let you know.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
Scott, an appeal can actually bring on a strike against the channel (this is what happened with my previous channel) so yes I can try to appeal it but it can also bring more trouble than anything else if the appeal is reversed and they find me in contempt. Google / Youtube doesn't care about scammers who falsely claim ownership of public domain films. And it's almost impossible to get others affected by this to complain to Google / Youtube together. It sucks.
ReplyDeleteWP, Youtube actually makes it easy for scammers to do this. This has been ongoing since Google bought Youtube.
Scott, i hope you didn't include my PEPLUM TV channel in your letter. I don't want some comeback against it now.
ReplyDeleteHow can we help?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I did indeed give its URL (peplum.com) and mention HERCULES specifically.
ReplyDeleteNaturally I will be very sorry indeed if this causes significant problems for your marvelous operation.
I could send YouTube another E-mail, but from what you have said this might just make things worse.
My action just proves the wisdom of the old saying quote act in haste and re[pent at leisure unquote.
Best Regards, Scott Ochiltree.