Bogus Farolatino YouTube Copyright Complaint Hits ELI Video

[Matthew Chan]

Robert initially reported on the bogus Farolatino copyright complaint on Youtube.

http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/copyright-notice-from-youtube/

This time around, the "official" ELI Youtube account was hit on our Google Video Search Story video using Google Video Search Video Creation Tools! I was very surprised by this.



Dear extortionletterinfo,

Your video "Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter Info (Nov 2011)", may have content that is owned or licensed by Farolatino, but it’s still available on YouTube! In some cases, ads may appear next to it.

This claim is not penalizing your account status. Visit your Copyright Notice page for more details on the policy applied to your video.

Sincerely,
- The YouTube Team

====

I immediately disputed this with Youtube and it was quickly dropped.

Farolatino has reviewed your dispute and released its copyright claim on your video, "Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter Info (Nov 2011)".

The Farolatino copyright scam is apparently rampant on Youtube and there are many people complaining about these reckless copyright complaints. Consider this post my way to contributing to their wonderful online reputation.

[Moe Hacken]

It appears YouTube uses some kind of software to match soundtrack content to copyrighted music. I've had them flag videos of mine. One time they were absolutely correct about the content, but the copyright owners graciously allowed it. I used a short clip of a 50s tune for the credits of a video promoting a folkloric artisan's work.

The other case was a lot like your experience, Matthew. Some outfit claimed the soundtrack to a video I posted with footage of a local junior surf contest. It was my video, meaning I shot it myself with my own camera, and I created all of the soundtrack music using Apple's Garage Band. I only used music loops that came with the software, which Apple expressly allows to be used for creating content even if it's for commercial use. In other words, it was 100% my song. Not that I really care about the stupid soundtrack, but I was offended by the wrongful and grabby claim.

I checked the song that I was supposedly infringing and it was some kind of techno music mix thing by some guy I've never heard of. Maybe he used some Apple loops in his song too? LOL!

I disputed the claim and the outfit dropped the claim. I guess they had to listen to my soundtrack personally to see if wasn't a match at all.

Should I register my crappy Garage Band soundtrack with the copyright office before someone STEALS IT?