"I didn't know" doesn't cut the mustard

This week we we came across a website that seemingly had a lot of digital video content. Hurrah we thought. We love to see people using video. It really is the way of the future and one of the most effective ways to communicate.

Until that is, we started to look further. Every video we clicked on came up with this message:

OH NO!!! What a disaster. Every video on the website had the same message and the Youtube account had been shut down. I don't need to tell you that this is not a good look.

In this case, the owner of the Youtube account clearly knew that they were breaching copyright as they had received multiple notifications. "But hey, I'm only a small player. I can plead innocence. Right?" Wrong!

In our early days of producing video content we were given some excellent advice by other bigwigs in the industry. "Don't mess with APRA, they can shut you down". Always make sure you have the correct licence to use music or other copyright material.

Sometimes the tempatation is to use something commercial for a production. We looked at using the song "Eye of the Tiger" a couple of years back. The cost was a lot for the purpose that we wanted it for, and the tempatation could have been to use it anyway - as surely the powers that be wouldn't see it. We were very grateful for those good words of advice still ringing in our ears. DON"T GO THERE!

We understand that some producers like to take their chances or sign agreements so the liability belongs to the client. This may well work out so all power to them. However, chances are they'll end up with a bad look and a shut down Youtube account.

In my opinion, it's just not worth the risk.

Author: Sarah Galbraith