Last Thursday we streamed the first Wireside Chat from Lawrence Lessig, organised by the Open Video Alliance. The live lecture from Harvard Law School touched on a number of topics associated with copyright laws and the fair use of content, calling for reduced legal restrictions on copyright on the Internet.
During his presentation Lessig used a number of small video clips, with some of them featuring music by Warner Music Group. Ironically, shortly after the presentation was uploaded to Lessig’s official YouTube account, the audio track was removed by which seems to be YouTube’s new Content ID system or by a DMCA request. The full presentation can be viewed elsewhere via Lessig´s Blip profile, although together with the Open Video Alliance we are currently working on a high quality archived version of the speech.
This action by YouTube has only helped Lessig in making his point, highlighting the need for change in the online video world. According to Techdirt, this is the second time YouTube has removed a Lessig speech on ‘Fair Use’ due to a DMCA request.
Ben Moskowitz of the Open Video Alliance recently talked to NewTeeVee commenting, “YouTube’s filters not detecting Fair Use in a talk about Fair Use is a great example of what’s wrong with online video.” also adding “open source technologies and open networks could help to free video video makers from such constraints.”
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