Oh, Youtube, You Evil Fiend

Like most people, I have a Youtube account. Like most people, I post videos. Like most people, my videos.......get
taken
down.

Why, you ask? Because a third party claimed copyright.

Who, you ask? Hell if I know, apparently they're anonymous.

And, despite the video's mildly embarrassing overtones bore from adolescence and a pinch or two of obsessions, I'm just the slightest bit annoyed by it. Mostly because I'm not sure who these people are, if they're legit, and why my video was picked out after being on the site for at least a year (additionally, considering the fact that there are other videos on the site that have the same song playing [the song being the reason the video was taken down], I'm just a little bit baffled).

Through all this, though, Youtube has given me the option of choosing another song from a list of pre-approved music, reposting the video without sound, or disputing the claim. I'm considering doing it (because I don't like the idea of accepting it and giving up), even if I'm not sure they'll take it seriously and the task of reading through all the copyright laws is a little daunting.

So....do I have a right to know who the third party is? Is there a chance this third party isn't legit and Youtube is just playing a game of CYA? I don't know! All I do know is, is that music videos are ultimately free advertising because it allows people to either find music, or tv shows (I've discovered both through my guilty pleasure music video viewing) and since no one makes money off of it and everyone (including myself) puts disclaimers in the sidebar, I honestly don't see what the deal is.

But maybe I'm just not anal about these things.