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YouTube Stands Up To IOC Over Free Tibet Video

Posted by timothy on from the good-light-on-a-bad-light dept.

Ian Lamont writes "The International Olympic Committee has withdrawn a DCMA takedown notice that targeted a two-minute long YouTube video of a Students for a Free Tibet protest at the Chinese consulate in New York. The video shows protesters gathering outside the building at night and projecting images of the Olympic symbol, 'tank man,' Tibetan riot footage and clips of victims of the Chinese police crackdown in Tibet. After receiving the request, YouTube contacted the IOC and asked if it really planned to pursue a claim. The IOC retracted the notice and the video was reposted within hours. Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society praised YouTube for 'going out of its way to do more than it's required to do under the law to protect free expression.'"

5 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I have a mod point... by rolfc · · Score: 5, Informative

    Oki
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j60x3C43Qao

  2. Don't be evil by aceofspades1217 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Personally I give Google kudos for doing this. If it were any other company they wouldn't have done anything and would have stated that they will not repost it unless a counter DMCA is issued. I applaud Google for taking the extra step of actually contacting the IOC and asking them if they truly want to pursue this or are they just trying to pander to the Chinese. The Chinese are horrible and sure they can make a pretty show but they have total disregard for human rights.

    If this were Microsoft or Yahoo (and yahoo has pandered to the Chinese many many times) they would have waited for a counter DMCA or just ignore it and let another site deal with it.

    So good job not being evil

    *Cheers*

    and I swear the Chinese's pretty little show doesn't change anything.

  3. Re:A QUESTION is going out of your way? by redaction101 · · Score: 5, Funny

    In the world of DMCA notices, questioning the "rights holder" whether his claim is valid or a sham is about as shocking as asking to screw his wife. On a long term basis. Without coffee breaks.

  4. Re:I have a mod point... by an.echte.trilingue · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You could have just linked to TFA since the video is embedded right on the page... No matter, though.

    This video is a perfect example of the Streisand effect. It's a horrible little clip with ear-jarring music, poor video quality and even worse editing. I wouldn't have even known what it was about without the article, and even so it does not contain much of a message. Very few people ever would have seen this video if the IOC hadn't issued the takedown notice in the first place, but now it's on the /. front page.

    --
    weirdest thing I ever saw: scientology advertising on slashdot.
  5. Re:What did the IOC plan? by wisty · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not that much of a dictatorship. The people get to vote on which CP member gets in. It's a bit like the US really, but with one less party.