Copyright laws in the era of the digital age have been strained between users and the owners of content, to say the least. To use a song, royalties must be paid to the owner of the material to use the content and the same goes with video. The internet changed these rules, however, with users uploading their own content and using short clips in their videos. Depending on how short the clip is (usually 17 to 30 seconds maximum) a user can use the clip as long as they have bought the product and it is used in context.

Now companies have asked YouTube to change their policy regarding the use of material on the videos users upload. YouTube, who before previously allowed the use of remixed or shortened material, is now banning users who have broken their new policy. If more than three companies file a claim and decide to go to court, you lose your account regardless of the court ruling.

This has been completely unfair to many users of the site. By changing their regulations, many users who make a living from YouTube and have not broken the law are getting into trouble with YouTube. Instead of setting a date for the change and making the regulations impact videos after the date set, YouTube is allowing attacks on content that a few months ago they deemed fine.

YouTube has received a lot of negative press lately for their attempts to make more money (which they already make a lot of)  by restricting users and possibly making individuals pay for content on the site. With the new policies and the attacks on users who help generate the mass income that YouTube makes it doesn’t seem like that negative press is going away, and it shouldn’t.

I’m no genius, but it seems that allowing outside companies to dictate what is legal or not instead of letting the court decide isn’t a good way to treat the people who make the videos that drive your site.