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STOP Sharing Stolen Videos!

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No doubt you’ve see posts in your Facebook newsfeed of cute, astonishing, and unbelievable videos.
They are fun to watch, right?  You may have also shared them with your friends.

But what if I told you that video was stolen?

Yup! Flat out Pirated from somewhere like YouTube and then uploaded to Facebook as if somebody took it themselves.  It’s happening more and more everyday. Here’s one from my friend Jeremy.

Post by Jeremy Blanton.

It seems innocent enough – right? How can you tell it’s stolen?  The key is if it’s been uploaded to Facebook directly.

video uploaded to Facebook directly

Compare that to a YouTube video you might have shared and you’ll see it says “shared a link“.
Sharing a video on Facebook

Even when someone shares that same video from my timeline it still says “link”

Sharing a shared video
Why is this even important?

Erika beat me to it the other day when she posted this:

So, there's this dude on Facebook named James Ellis. You know, the one who keeps showing up in your newsfeed with all those cute viral videos? PLEASE STOP SHARING HIS CONTENT. He uses screen capture software to steal videos from all over the internet (and Facebook) and then uploads those videos to his Facebook page as his own. This is, first of all, stealing content. Secondly, he's stealing millions of views each week from the rightful content owners. And finally, he's building a "brand" based on stolen content, which is the douchiest of all douche moves. Attribution (which he lamely gives with "video found on internet") does not equal permission. My stance on copyright issues and stolen content has never been a mild one. And I'm probably going to vomit if I see another one of this epic toolbag's posts in my newsfeed.

James was the first one to really use this as a marketing plan but now others are doing the Monkey See – Monkey Do.
Remember: First of all it’s stealing content. Secondly, it’s stealing millions of views each week from the rightful owners in an effort to build their own brand. Don’t be a “James Ellis” you can be better than that.

Now as for the true owner of that Badpiper video… I tracked down the person who shot it and uploaded it to their YouTube Channel.  Officially it’s the property of Jackie Jet (https://www.facebook.com/jackiejetphotography). On Youtube it has an ad. It’s the owner who sets the monitization. So it’s from her you are stealing views and as a result actual dollars from. (she accepts your apology).

So did she upload it to Facebook originally? Nope. Check it!

Oh and yeah, the BadPiper? His name is Cam McAze https://www.facebook.com/Badpiper

If you want to share it – here it is:

You’ll notice the video quality is better, the audio is better, and you’ll even feel better knowing that you did the right thing. (except for you James Ellis – may you rot in marketing hell)

Does it really matter? To some people – no it doesn’t. To others who depend on YouTube for income – Yes it does. Then again, what if your kid is the next David after Dentist? How would you feel if people stole your kids video? There is no such thing as a victimless crime.

Mike Mueller
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