Viacom Says User Infringed His Own Copyright

Chris Knight writes "I ran for school board where I live this past fall and created some TV commercials including this one with a 'Star Wars' theme. A few months ago VH1 grabbed the commercial from YouTube and featured it in a segment of its show 'Web Junk 2.0.' Neither VH1 or its parent company Viacom told me they were doing this or asked my permission to use it, but I didn't mind it if they did. I thought that Aries Spears's commentary about it was pretty hilarious, so I posted a clip of VH1's segment on YouTube so that I could put it on my blog. I just got an e-mail from YouTube saying that the video has been pulled because Viacom is claiming that I'm violating its copyright. Viacom used my video without permission on their commercial television show, and now says that I am infringing on their copyright for showing the clip of the work that Viacom made in violation of my own copyright!"

Comments

LITIGATE!

[Anonymous Coward]

You need to sue yourself for everything you're worth. Oh, and can I be your lawyer? I'll work for 30%.

Re:LITIGATE!

[halcyon1234]

Nonono, dude, don't listen to the AC! Be your own lawyer-- on both sides. That way, when you sue yourself for everything you're worth, not only will you gain everything you own, but you'll also get 30% of it in lawyers fees. And if you defend yourself, you'll get another 30% in lawyers fees from you.

That's 160% of everything you're worth! My God, what a profit. No wonder everyone's suing-as-a-revenue-stream these days. Look at the return!

Re:LITIGATE!

[Notquitecajun]

Imagine when things get crazy when you settle with yourself out of court for an "undisclosed amount."

He should counterclaim

[LiquidCoooled]

He should counterclaim and sue for damages.

How many copies did Viacom sent out to viewers homes?

Isn't it something like $250,000 per copy?

Endless cycle of VH1

[Jozxyqk]

Sue them in some outrageous way. Then you'll get on their next "20 wackiest lawsuits" show. Then take a clip of that, and put it up on youtube. See if they sue you again.

Re:Fair Use

[halcyon1234]

And the funniest part-- the whole things is still a derivative from George Lucas' work. So he should jump into the ring, and sue both of them. Sue them in Endor!

Who's the moron now?

[Organic Brain Damage]

Ummm...lemme think....I know. Both of you. First the guy who called you a moron when he obviously does not understand copyright law. Second, you....for arguing with a moron.

P.S. I'm a moron too. We're all morons on this bus.

Re:Who's the moron now?

[The_Wilschon]

You should find a good attorney at www.66lawyers.com and sue them. Suing an attorney sounds like a terribly bad idea.

Re:Fair Use

[MrNiceguy_KS]

Wow. A court battle where the Chewbacca defense might actually be relevant! I think MY head is going to explode.

Re:Fair Use

[jollyreaper]

And the funniest part-- the whole things is still a derivative from George Lucas' work. So he should jump into the ring, and sue both of them. Sue them in Endor! He can't. Endor was destroyed in the aftermath of the second Death Star's explosion.

Re:Fair Use

[GodsBlood]

Fair use is limited to reasonable excerpts. Otherwise, what's stopping me from copying an entire movie, then adding "I liked this movie" at the end. Lack of quality movies?

Re:Fair Use

[Anonymous Coward]

I suggest a new copyright defense strategy R2: Let the wookie win.

Re:Fair Use

[Anonymous Coward]

Some of the movies I download already include commentary in them, usually it's the audience watching the movie in the theater. So it's legal now? :)