Someone Stole My Video, What Can I Do?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
March 18, 2008 11:32pm CST
Apparently, I'm more popular than I thought on YouTube. I know people have probably downloaded my videos before. I really don't care if people download my videos for their own personal viewing. But when you put up my videos as your own, you've crossed the line. And when you put up my videos as your own and made them into your sales pitch because you're selling something that my video is about, well, now you've totally crossed the line.
I've seen this happen to people before for views (someone really popular has their video stolen so that the other person can get some views from it too). I always hate when I see that and want to report it.
But now I really feel like I should definitely report this, because someone who did not pay me or even ask me about using my video should not get to make money off me. I'd be mad enough about someone getting views from my videos, but I am not letting someone earn more money just because they couldn't make a cool video for themselves.
3 people like this
3 responses
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
20 Mar 08
That's AWFUL!!!
I have no idea on what to tell you to do.
Maybe youtube will be able to advise though on what you can and should do.
I'm going to have to look your stuff up - same user name???
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
20 Mar 08
*going to check them out*
Thanks. I'm the same way - I use the same user name everywhere too :) I just like it.
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Great job!!! I just located you and watched that video :)
@freak369 (5112)
• United States
19 Mar 08
There has to be a TOS at the site, if they don't help then get people involved with a comment blitz about it. If someone goes to the page and sees that there are 100 comments on a video and they see that it is stolen, that might make them think twice about things.
If you need someone to add comments let me know. Them making money off your efforts is wrong on any level.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
20 Mar 08
I would have totally done the comment blitz, if they hadn't disabled comments for the video. I guess they do that for a reason if the video is stolen.
They did remove my video after they received my email. They said they were just trying to help me get noticed. Help me get noticed how? By not letting people comment, giving people no way to contact me, and posting my work as their own? I don't think so! I think they were going for sales.
They sent a nasty response, but I just thanked them for removing it. They also stole a video of a 9 year old kid now, so I emailed his parents so that they're aware.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
20 Mar 08
I have seen a lot of stolen videos where people totally take the credit and try to pretend to be someone else. I don't see the point in that. If you aren't that person and you do get famous, how will you go perform?
This guy in question wouldn't stop sending me hate mail now, so I finally just blocked him. I thought I was pretty darn nice letting him off just as long as he deleted my video. Instead he has to send constant hate mail about how he hopes no one ever sees my videos now etc.
oh thats pretty crappy, that is awful but I guess you must be good for someone to want people to think that you are them, i guess that is the only positive but i would still be pretty angry....