Rebranding YouTube Videos - Is it Wrong?

[blanchi]

If you use a video from YouTube that promotes someone else's site/product, but you add your own Beginning and End Credits and let's say even some subtitles throughout, how wrong is that?

Can you offset this by acknowledging the video's author and site (like a resource box in an article) in the end credits?

Any other work-around solutions that won't get me any death threats are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Kay King]

How wrong is that?

About as wrong as it gets. The "acknowledgement" would have to be "I stole this from...."

kay

[Scott Million]

Worse case scenario your video gets taken down. There are a lot of video marketers who focus on this... many products surrounding it.

That's all I'll say

[blanchi]

Thanks, kay. I got the idea and learned the technique from a well-known marketer.

What I learned was how to download the video so you could add credits (beginning and ending) in Camtasia or MS Movie Maker.

The idea was to simply add a credit like "brought to you by www.MySite.com" then get on with the video (you cannot edit it in MS MM -- don't know about Camtasia). And then end the video with -- come to www.MySite.com to learn more about x.

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback. Do you see any work around solution aside from regurgitating the content in the video and putting my ugly face on the screen instead of his/hers?

Thanks again.

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by blanchi

Any other work-around solutions that won't get me any death threats are appreciated.

Just one. Do your own video.

[blanchi]

Originally Posted by Scott Million

Worse case scenario your video gets taken down. There are a lot of video marketers who focus on this... many products surrounding it.

That's all I'll say

Thanks, Scott. Ultimately, you're right.

If it's a technique I'll use, I just don't want to be looked upon as a scumbag, y'know?

Seems like I will... hmm...

[blanchi]

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

Just one. Do your own video.

Thanks, Mike. What about the content/message? Ultimately, it will be the same. For example, if I make my own, it will be "In Mr. X's video, he states that (insert what he says here)."

What's worse -- being a scumbag for taking Mr. X's video and putting my site/comments before and after it, or quoting Mr. X's (maybe not verbatim, but it would be pretty darn close excluding the thesaurus suggestions for alternative words). Wouldn't viewers wonder why I didn't just use Mr. X's video in the first place (besides he'd be nicer to look at).

I mean, if doing my own makes it right, then it's solved. Know what I mean?

Thanks again everyone, this is a great perspective and some great advice.

Funny how tunnel vision can creep in and make what seemed brilliant just an hour ago look like a terrible idea now.

[crystalq]

Its not wrong if you ask the owner if you can use the video.

[TeamGlobal]

The most overlooked "workaround" isn't a workaround at all.

You simply contact the owner of the video and ask for permission to use it in the manner you wish to use it.

Addtionally, in the time it takes to mastermind modifying someone else's video for you own use, you could probably just create your own....probably even a much better one.

All The Very Best,


Tony

[blanchi]

Originally Posted by crystalq

Its not wrong if you ask the owner if you can use the video.

That makes sense and is unlikely to be a problem in my case.

How likely is it that the person in the video actually owns rights to the video? Will he know? How can he/I prove that I have covered my butt; I mean what kind of crap can I get into years down the road if the "true" owner decides to sue my butt?

In the meantime, this is the most sensible approach for my application. (Otherwise, yeah, it makes sense to make my own video if the message was no so darn unique and powerful that it could only possibly come from that one specific source...).

Thanks again everyone for your insights!

[hotftuna]

Originally Posted by blanchi

Thanks, Scott. Ultimately, you're right.

If it's a technique I'll use, I just don't want to be looked upon as a scumbag, y'know?

Seems like I will... hmm...

Then you should not have told anyone that you were going to do this.

[blanchi]

Originally Posted by hotftuna

Then you should not have told anyone that you were going to do this.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and offer feedback.

Looks like the best work-around is getting the video owner's permission to use their video on my site. Pretty obvious, isn't it?

Thanks again everyone for your help!

[crystalq]

You can use the videos on your site without
permission. It when you start adding links to
the video, thats when you should ask.

Normal people are usually pretty cool about letting others
use their vids. Its big companies who don't like it.

[hotftuna]

Good luck to you with your video marketing blachi.

Owner's permission is cool.

[Elmer Hurlstone]

Blanchi,

Others have done an excellent job of discussing the ethics, morality and legality of your question. No sense belaboring that.

By being second, third, ninth or whatever to visit a situation you're in a better position than the originator of a video.

You have the benefit of his/her work to guide you. You can look at views and comments and use your own judgment to determine what aspects can be improved upon with your own treatment of the subject. There is an established "baseline" to compare against.

Remember, the pioneers were the people with arrows in their backs. Those that followed had a much easier journey.

Elmer Hurlstone

[source47]

I wouldn't want someone using MY videos for their own purpose and gain.

[Marty S]

You need permission to use anyone's original youtube content.

I have found on at least 3 different occasions different people have just copied my video and resubmit it using their own Youtube account. Twice I had the user banned from Youtube, the other time the guy removed the video and disappeared.

[DonnaLeona]

Learning to make your own videos fast is a great marketing skill to master.

[BIG Mike]

Originally Posted by crystalq

Its not wrong if you ask the owner if you can use the video.

Now there's a novel idea...funny how a lot of folks will do anything but that

[Hyaku_Man]

Well, lots of people "borrow" video content and rebrand it. To me it comes down to personal values and conscience. Would I feel bad about rebranding a clip from a news interview? No. Would I feel bad rebranding a video made by a Warrior who's working hard to make a living selling pet products or something? Yes.

Something I have done which I thought was fine was to use other people's video footage, but just sample a piece of it and make a montage from lots of different videos, then change the audio. I see that as fair use, I'm not ripping off their composition, but I get some footage that I don't have the means to film on my own.

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Scott Million

Worse case scenario your video gets taken down. There are a lot of video marketers who focus on this... many products surrounding it.

That's all I'll say

Um What???? How about "worse case scenario I sue your ass, and take any money you made while using my video as your own and then some"

Geeze, is it wrong to take a product you created, but put my name on it, slap a new title on it, and change all the links in it so it goes back to my sites?

There are TONS of materials that are legal for you to use yourself and create your own stuff.

Don't invite trouble.

[troy23]

Think of all the work the person put into making the video only for someone to come along and steal it. Making videos is no harder than writing an article. It would be better for you to create your own one. That way you own all the rights to it.

[blanchi]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I realize how simple the question "Can I steal someone's video?" is to answer. But that's not really my question.

Remember, YouTube gives people the ability to embed their videos simply by copying that little tidbit of code next to the video itself. In fact, so many sites (like Squidoo) make it even easier and all you have to do is paste the URL.

It seems my question about using the video (no problem there, I could just embed it) and adding my own branding like beginning and end credits that mention my site (this is my problem/uncertainty) falls somewhere in between.

Would I make a few bucks by referencing my visitors to a video by Mr. X that really hammers home a point I'm trying to make? I would hope so -- I would have put in a lot of work researching and substantiating any claims and if Mr. X proves just that (such as in a Bibliography, as noted above) then I become more an authority, no? But would Mr. X sue me? I would almost think I would get sued if I made my own video (as he did) and used his concept... anyway...

Again, I appreciate all of the responses and it seems like a real open-and-close case if the question was whether I steal someone's content.

Seems to me this is more gray hat than I thought (okay, dark gray) and am comfortable with. I'll skip the whole video idea and simply make reference in my written material.

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Originally Posted by blanchi

It seems my question about using the video (no problem there, I could just embed it) and adding my own branding like beginning and end credits that mention my site (this is my problem/uncertainty) falls somewhere in between.

No, it really doesn't fall in between. Taking someone else's content and using it in the manner you suggest is not only morally and ethically wrong, but it a copyright violation.

In addition, in case you didn't know this, DOWNLOADING a video from YouTube (as opposed to watching it on their site or using an embed link) is a violation of YouTube's TOS.

So swiping the video from YouTube using a video downloader is also wrong.

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by blanchi

Thanks for all the feedback.

I realize how simple the question "Can I steal someone's video?" is to answer. But that's not really my question.

Remember, YouTube gives people the ability to embed their videos simply by copying that little tidbit of code next to the video itself. In fact, so many sites (like Squidoo) make it even easier and all you have to do is paste the URL.

It seems my question about using the video (no problem there, I could just embed it) and adding my own branding like beginning and end credits that mention my site (this is my problem/uncertainty) falls somewhere in between.

Would I make a few bucks by referencing my visitors to a video by Mr. X that really hammers home a point I'm trying to make? I would hope so -- I would have put in a lot of work researching and substantiating any claims and if Mr. X proves just that (such as in a Bibliography, as noted above) then I become more an authority, no? But would Mr. X sue me? I would almost think I would get sued if I made my own video (as he did) and used his concept... anyway...

Again, I appreciate all of the responses and it seems like a real open-and-close case if the question was whether I steal someone's content.

Seems to me this is more gray hat than I thought (okay, dark gray) and am comfortable with. I'll skip the whole video idea and simply make reference in my written material.

You can embed videos - but you can not edit them. Think about EZA for a minute. You can take articles from their site, but you must leave the resource box in tact.

What you can do is embed Mr. x's video on your own blog, but put your affiliate links in the text on your blog and say "I agree with Mr. X - here is where you can buy the product he recommends"

If someone does not want you embedding their video on your site, there is a way for them to prevent you from doing that.

It is to Mr. X's advantage to let you embed his video as you are helping to spread HIS branding, and at the same time he is allowing you to share in the content he has created which can help give you fodder for your blog or squidoo or what ever page you are creating.

These videos are not PLR - which is what you want if you want to put your own branding on something.

You can either a. make your own video about the product you are promoting and brand the video, b. hire someone to make a video for you with your branding on it, or c. embed a ready made video but leave their materials in tact and work your content around the topic of the video.

[jaykoebele]

Then there is the concept of mimicking a video that has received a ton of exposure and views on Youtube. (like the baby dancing to Beyonce's 'put a ring on it') and creating your own version (guy in diaper dancing to the same song) and then directing people to your website.

The original video has over 4 million views and was created in January, and the 2nd video was created just a month ago and has close to 200,000 views.

Pretty funny and successful concept to get a little traffic.

[Allen Graves]

Honesty, Integrity, Reliability and Good Business go a long way these days.

Allen

[rwb24]

You certainly want to get permission and see how you can make it a win win for you both. It should be great exposure for the other person if you have something to offer them.
Robert

[blanchi]

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

You can either a. make your own video about the product you are promoting and brand the video, b. hire someone to make a video for you with your branding on it, or c. embed a ready made video but leave their materials in tact and work your content around the topic of the video.

Yes, the content already works well with the video in question. The video supports what I am saying (it would be like me saying that gravity exists and then using an Einstein video to support it, and then turning around and selling a gravity-fed pond product).

You also make a great point earlier "don't invite trouble." In my case, the video owner sees no problem with what I am proposing (of course he wants to "see" it before he gives the thumbs up to publish it), but my situation is rather unique. To say the video in question would get me direct sales would be a huge stretch, but it definitely will help me prove a point with my site and hopefully in the end I can make sales based on my knowledge of this topic. So, YES, I am benefiting.

In the meantime, the video owner gets his message (face and website) out there.

At first, I didn't understand how this could be a bad thing -- adding a before and after segment to the original video with some subtitles throughout, especially since the "resource box" remains intact. But when you start throwing in product-specific affiliate marketing efforts (and even commercial-quality video for that matter) when "I" and the video owner are fighting for the same dollar, then yes my "rebranding" question is clearly not a fair and ethical one (I guess I'm putting it mildly). For that, I apologize for asking what might seem like such a dumb question.

In reality, it's all good. I've received some good feedback here -- I never would have thought to contact the video owner, but this was so easy to do and he got back to me rather quickly (less than 12 hours!). If I was nervous about contacting him before, I was extremely nervous after reading some of these posts! I didn't want to get sued or make him feel like I wanted "steal" his video. After explaining the relevance of his video to my site (more specifically to my "message"), he actually agreed with what I was proposing -- but he still wants final approval, which is understandable.

In a worst-case scenario, I could have pointed my site visitors to the exact video (instead of embedding it because even that seems contentious/gray hat) but that involves opening a new window/tab and hoping my visitors don't get distracted by Andy Sandberg videos while they are there .

Overall, there's some great information here. Even though I'm technically in the clear with my specific project, I'm taking away a lot more information than that.

Less than two weeks ago, I joined the War Room. At the time, I didn't know whether I would get my $37 back... and this thread (free at that) has done that. (Nevermind what I'll find in the War Room!)

Once the video is finished and approved, I'll post a link. You'll see exactly what I mean!

Thanks everyone, I owe you all!

[RevShareNow]

I'd think it's OK if you get permission first. If it's on the up and up they'll probably say yes. If they say no, there's probably a good reason.

[Kenster]

Its all about your moral fiber as I like to say. Is it wrong to use any part of somebodys video at all without their permission...yes, in my opinion. Will you get in trouble, probably not, will they care, perhaps not, but it is their property, so it naturally makes it wrong to steal anything.

The right thing to do is ask, problem solved. They will probably say yes. If they say no, then that probably means you are doing something jerky and you shouldnt be using it anyway.


Is is right or wrong is a completely different question than will i get in trouble

[Kay King]

In the meantime, the video owner gets his message (face and website) out there.

If the owner of the video is happy with the final version you want to use - you're fine.

What I was thinking is taking a video that ends with "visit my site" and changing that link to your own. In other words - using the video itself but changing it to a promotion for you rather than the person who made the video. Big no-no on that one.

I'm sure there are many niches where owners would be willing to share their video as long as changes were acceptable to them.

kay

[VegasGreg]

It's funny how the basic question of this thread, "Can I steal someone else's video and use it as my own" has gone this far and mainly talks about moral issues and if you "feel" it is right.

The simple answer is NO. It is illegal and you can be sued for doing that. The 'worse case' scenario of YouTube will just delete your video is a far cry from worse case scenario. Being served is a lot worse.

The "embed" code provided by YouTube is there to promote/use/show the video AS-IS. Embed or Share does not mean Take This And Steal It as your Own.

Just asking the owner of the video does not make it right by itself, the owner needs to give you permission.

So, lets all stop the "moral' and "ethics" replies and just obey the law.

Peace out.........

[WareTime]

Originally Posted by Allen Graves

Honesty, Integrity, Reliability and Good Business go a long way these days.

Allen

And you'll find damn little of it in IM, so it will put you that much further ahead again.

[mark z]

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

Just one. Do your own video.

Exactly!

Although it might be the longer way, it surely gets you to your destination.
And, even more important, you`ll always learn some new stuff which will certainly benefit your further projects too.

"The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." - Ralph W. Sockman