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Is this copyright infringement?

by Sandra Martinez
31 replies
Hi,
for a new website I found an interesting course in youtube that comes to the T in terms of the content I need.

I am posting the videos, but that is not enough for SEO so I´m transcribing them to have some written material.

I´m also taking screen captures from the video and creating a pdf with the same written content, plus the images to use it for a squeeze or promotion.

Can I do this? I feel that even if I am not infringing the body of the law, I am attacking the spirit of it, if that makes sense...

Sandra
#copyright #infringement
  • Profile picture of the author 72K.org
    Yes that's copyright infringement - what you would want to do is just create new content and make it into your own words (what 99% of everything and almost anything on the internet is lol ...) Also, if you put it into your own words, you might even get a better response from them ... ("Build a better mousetrap and the whole world will make a beaten path to your door" - Emerson)

    Hope that helped ...
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by 72K.org View Post

      Yes that's copyright infringement - what you would want to do is just create new content and make it into your own words (what 99% of everything and almost anything on the internet is lol ...) Also, if you put it into your own words, you might even get a better response from them ... ("Build a better mousetrap and the whole world will make a beaten path to your door" - Emerson)

      Hope that helped ...
      Thanks. I will.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    I agree with 72K. Make some unique content on your videos. Don't forget to do video comments. That should increase some traffic to your YouTube videos as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by O0o0O View Post

      I agree with 72K. Make some unique content on your videos. Don't forget to do video comments. That should increase some traffic to your YouTube videos as well.
      Thanks! I am a bit lost though... the videos are not mine, they belong to someone else, but they are posted in youtube with embedding available, so I´m building this website around them so far.

      I guess I could create a youtube account for this and comment in the videos. Is that what you meant?
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      • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
        Transcribing the videos without the owner's permission is definitely copyright infringement. Summarizing them in your own words is not.

        And why not ask the copyright owner for permission to create a transcript? If you give them a copy of the transcript, it's quite possible they'll be thrilled and happily give you permission to use it, too.

        Marcia Yudkin
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        • Profile picture of the author pdrs
          Yeah there are all sorts of options here if you don't want to go through the hassle of creating a new set of videos and these ones are perfect for your application.

          Talk to the owner, be straight up, theres a very good chance you can come to some sort of agreement thats mutually beneficial.

          Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

          Transcribing the videos without the owner's permission is definitely copyright infringement. Summarizing them in your own words is not.

          And why not ask the copyright owner for permission to create a transcript? If you give them a copy of the transcript, it's quite possible they'll be thrilled and happily give you permission to use it, too.

          Marcia Yudkin
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          • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
            Originally Posted by pdrs View Post

            Yeah there are all sorts of options here if you don't want to go through the hassle of creating a new set of videos and these ones are perfect for your application.

            Talk to the owner, be straight up, theres a very good chance you can come to some sort of agreement thats mutually beneficial.
            what I actually want to do is to flip it, so they might be interested in the free job done for them, that is if they want to buy.

            the videos have two sponsors, no affiliate program at sight... so I did contact one of them so far to see if they do have an affiliate program. Some of their products are in Amazon, and there might be a store in CJ that have the brand too.

            Thanks!!
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            • Profile picture of the author onemorewarrior
              Sandra

              What type of videos are they. if they are simply power point slide shows you
              could strip out the audio and remove the slides you really don't need then add your own voice reading the slides and transcribe your own words from the new presentation into written form. Therefore creating for all practical purposes a new product that is essentially your own. Not really sure if this considered copyright infringement being that you have created a different product from the source material.From an ethics stand point it gets a little shaky.Good luck with your endeavor.
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              • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
                Originally Posted by onemorewarrior View Post

                Sandra

                What type of videos are they. if they are simply power point slide shows you
                could strip out the audio and remove the slides you really don't need then add your own voice reading the slides and transcribe your own words from the new presentation into written form. Therefore creating for all practical purposes a new product that is essentially your own. Not really sure if this considered copyright infringement being that you have created a different product from the source material.From an ethics stand point it gets a little shaky.Good luck with your endeavor.

                That's still infringing on the copyright of the original person who put the time and energy into creating all the slides..



                Copyright covers all "created works".. That means art, design, copy (written word), music, etc. etc. etc..
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                • Profile picture of the author onemorewarrior
                  Originally Posted by mr2monster View Post

                  That's still infringing on the copyright of the original person who put the time and energy into creating all the slides..



                  Copyright covers all "created works".. That means art, design, copy (written word), music, etc. etc. etc..
                  Monster
                  Thanks for the clarification I wasn't sure if it was infringement.

                  There are many products that have been promoted and sold for
                  alot of cash using the method I mentioned some of the so called top gurus have taken other peoples creations and transcribed the videos into an ebook had a voice over done on the video and read the new ebook and produced mp3 audios and sold the whole thing as three seperate products or as a cheap 27 dollar ebook with the videos and audios as there #1 And #2 upsells
                  I also seem to recall a course about a year ago that taught exactly that
                  but as you said its still infringement. It also seems to be a little slimy and unethical.

                  Thanks for the input.
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                • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
                  Originally Posted by mr2monster View Post

                  That's still infringing on the copyright of the original person who put the time and energy into creating all the slides..

                  Copyright covers all "created works".. That means art, design, copy (written word), music, etc. etc. etc..
                  no slides here, and it is not the IM niche... I would never copy anything in the IM niche, why would I?

                  I write in the IM niche for others, for myself I prefer to ride the waves.
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              • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
                Originally Posted by onemorewarrior View Post

                Sandra

                What type of videos are they. if they are simply power point slide shows you
                could strip out the audio and remove the slides you really don't need then add your own voice reading the slides and transcribe your own words from the new presentation into written form. Therefore creating for all practical purposes a new product that is essentially your own. Not really sure if this considered copyright infringement being that you have created a different product from the source material.From an ethics stand point it gets a little shaky.Good luck with your endeavor.
                there is no copyright infringement in the videos per se as they are free to embed from youtube (there is the risk of having them retired and bye bye). And no, they are not powerpoint presentations, they are a couple of guys talking. And they don´t talk much.

                I can always change or add elements to the copy. I WILL do that to save problems. About the couple of screen shots I took, they are for things in motion and I took just the image I needed.

                I will not do a different video or voice over or anything like it. I get bored copying material, would never do that just because I would never get it done.

                If I could create the videos I would, but this is kind of out of my league.

                Thanks!!
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            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              I actually like the style, this is why I didn´t change it much: short sentences, very clear, no fluff.
              what I actually want to do is to flip it
              When you say "flip it" do you mean you want to build a site and sell it? If that's the case the new owner may have legal problems that will come right back to you.

              A derivative copy of someone's else content can still be copyright violation so just changing it a bit doesn't protect you.

              I don't understand why you ask if it's ok if you've already done it. IANAL but if it were my video I would pursue it as copyright violation and I think most experienced members here would do the same.

              I'd proceed with extreme caution.

              kay
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              • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
                Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

                When you say "flip it" do you mean you want to build a site and sell it? If that's the case the new owner may have legal problems that will come right back to you.

                A derivative copy of someone's else content can still be copyright violation so just changing it a bit doesn't protect you.

                I don't understand why you ask if it's ok if you've already done it. IANAL but if it were my video I would pursue it as copyright violation and I think most experienced members here would do the same.

                I'd proceed with extreme caution.

                kay
                Please don´t yell at me, you are overcharging my antenna.

                It is not done in stone, I CAN change it and that is why I´m asking.

                I have no intent to jump the ropes and pass the problem to someone else, I know you don´t know me but because you don´t know me, please don´t judge me. I don´t do that because I don´t do that. Period.

                I would never copy any material in the IM niche, I created many of the building blocks of much of the content everyone else is regurgitating for years now. Why would I do that? there is so much more from where that came from.

                The reason why I don´t sell in the IM niche is because I should start by the basics: to separate the people in group mindset (there are three, I called them red, blue and yellow) and create a path optimized for each person. And from there to add to the mix the times involved and the dynamics of the market and some other variables related with personal preferences.

                So, all in all, to really take someone ahead is too much work. And I´m blue mindset, I want to have fun doing what I like and have money rolling in to cover my expenses. To sit on a mountain of money is not my thing.

                Ahh... thanks!! Gosh, you emit like crazy.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

          Transcribing the videos without the owner's permission is definitely copyright infringement. Summarizing them in your own words is not.

          And why not ask the copyright owner for permission to create a transcript? If you give them a copy of the transcript, it's quite possible they'll be thrilled and happily give you permission to use it, too.

          Marcia Yudkin
          The videos were created by a video wall type of site that has no contact info, there is a designer link that might be the owner as well.

          the transcription is not completely literal, I´m doing it fast and easy, not as a professional job so there is something of my own wording there. But it is still pretty much transcription.

          I actually like the style, this is why I didn´t change it much: short sentences, very clear, no fluff.

          Will fiil in the gaps of the info with additional detail, that should do it.

          Thanks!!
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      • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        Thanks! I am a bit lost though... the videos are not mine, they belong to someone else, but they are posted in youtube with embedding available, so I´m building this website around them so far.

        I guess I could create a youtube account for this and comment in the videos. Is that what you meant?

        Using the videos for monetary gain is copyright infringement. Just because embedding is enabled, doesn't mean it's free to use for whatever you want to use it for.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by mr2monster View Post

          Using the videos for monetary gain is copyright infringement. Just because embedding is enabled, doesn't mean it's free to use for whatever you want to use it for.
          thanks! this is interesting. I took the idea of video wall type of sites. Actually I was going after that at the beginning. How does it apply in this case?

          I will look into youtube policies and try again to contact the owner to save problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
    No one on this forum can tell you if you would sued or not, or even if it's illegal. The only one who can tell you that is a judge and a jury.

    Copyright protection also give the holder the exclusive right to create derivative works of the original. Simply changing a few words here or they won't help you. You might want to download a booklet titled Copyright Basics from the Copyright Office.

    You would be much better off creating completely original content!

    www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

    --Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by mikemcmillan View Post

      No one on this forum can tell you if you would sued or not, or even if it's illegal. The only one who can tell you that is a judge and a jury.

      Copyright protection also give the holder the exclusive right to create derivative works of the original. Simply changing a few words here or they won't help you. You might want to download a booklet titled Copyright Basics from the Copyright Office.

      You would be much better off creating completely original content!

      www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

      --Mike
      I will, thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author BlondieWrites
    It's definately copyright infringement. You might try emailing the owner of the videos and ask them, and if they happen to say yes be sure to keep a copy of the email.

    Since they most likely will not agree to let you do it, I would rewrite the material or make a summary of it, throwing in those keywords that you need for the topic.


    Cindy
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by BlondieWrites View Post

      It's definately copyright infringement. You might try emailing the owner of the videos and ask them, and if they happen to say yes be sure to keep a copy of the email.

      Since they most likely will not agree to let you do it, I would rewrite the material or make a summary of it, throwing in those keywords that you need for the topic.


      Cindy
      Actually I think they would be thrilled. But, yes, I will change the written side and add additional information. Which is actually a shame, as it is what I consider perfect in terms of wording vs information transmitted.

      Thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I would never copy any material in the IM niche
        Copyright doesn't just apply in the IM niche. From what I've seen over the years, the IM niche is where you are more likely to get by with it to a certain degree without ending up in court.

        I'm not yelling at you - but no matter how many justifications you give for using someone else's video and their words (content), it's not ok to do it. If this is how you want to proceed - that's up to you. Don't expect others to approve of it. You asked the question - no guarantee answers will be what you want to hear.

        YOU said "flip it" - which usually refers to selling a site. You didn't clarify it further. Putting yourself at risk knowingly is up to you - putting someone else at risk is indefensible to me.

        I think your mind is made up and perhaps you won't have any repercussions at all. Just wise to know the risk to time, money and reputation inherent in doing this.

        kay
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Copyright doesn't just apply in the IM niche. From what I've seen over the years, the IM niche is where you are more likely to get by with it to a certain degree without ending up in court.

          I'm not yelling at you - but no matter how many justifications you give for using someone else's video and their words (content), it's not ok to do it. If this is how you want to proceed - that's up to you. Don't expect others to approve of it. You asked the question - no guarantee answers will be what you want to hear.

          YOU said "flip it" - which usually refers to selling a site. You didn't clarify it further. Putting yourself at risk knowingly is up to you - putting someone else at risk is indefensible to me.

          I think your mind is made up and perhaps you won't have any repercussions at all. Just wise to know the risk to time, money and reputation inherent in doing this.

          kay
          have you read my answers to others?
          I had a doubt about if it was ok or not,
          I had my answer, it was not ok
          and I proceeded to say, then I don´t do it. And actually I already changed all the articles.

          I didn´t say, I will do it anyway.
          I didn´t justify myself in any form.
          I am not the person you imply I am. But it is ok, I know what is behind, you will get to see the truth in time.

          and yes, you were yelling mentally, I happen to be psychic and you gave me a headache. Plus a lot of info I really was not interested in.

          Thanks for the input, the time and the effort to keep IM as an ethic occupation. You are doing a great job (I´m not being sarcastic, I really mean it).
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  • Profile picture of the author hotseochick
    When in doubt, create original content. You'll be protected and better off that way.
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  • Profile picture of the author aaronngoh
    If you are looking for a long term business, then it is wise to have your original content and people like it this way.

    There is nothing wrong to rewrite as most self help books are some sort of version of think and grow rich.

    As long as you add value, people will love it.

    Hope this help
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by aaronngoh View Post

      If you are looking for a long term business, then it is wise to have your original content and people like it this way.

      There is nothing wrong to rewrite as most self help books are some sort of version of think and grow rich.

      As long as you add value, people will love it.

      Hope this help
      I put up my first website in 2004, so yes, long term has always worked for me. It was a community for dog breeders.

      In all these years this is the first time I actually face this question, because I always write my content (I like writing actually).

      The reason why I would have preferred not to add much is because the content has all it has to have, and more is filler.

      The transcription is only a fast way to get the info from the videos, and works very well from the user experience point of view. But, filler it is.

      Thanks!!
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  • Profile picture of the author amylimcd
    Hi Sandra-

    The video is a work as defined under the Copyright Act and so it is protected by copyright laws. You cannot use it as a work without the owner permission. As part of YouTube's policies, the owner granted others the right to embed it or link to it, etc. but it must be embedded as is without changes. You Tube policies grant certain permissions but it does not remove the copyright protection.

    If you start to take pieces of it to use, there is still a big risk- things like the design, layout and personalities, and the overall all copy are all protected.

    But, from an entrepreneurial perspective, the important thing to remember is that IDEAS are not copyright protected so you can take the underlying ideas behind any copyrighted work and develop your own works based on such ideas.

    Cheers,

    Amy
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by amylimcd View Post

      Hi Sandra-

      The video is a work as defined under the Copyright Act and so it is protected by copyright laws. You cannot use it as a work without the owner permission. As part of YouTube's policies, the owner granted others the right to embed it or link to it, etc. but it must be embedded as is without changes. You Tube policies grant certain permissions but it does not remove the copyright protection.

      If you start to take pieces of it to use, there is still a big risk- things like the design, layout and personalities, and the overall all copy are all protected.

      But, from an entrepreneurial perspective, the important thing to remember is that IDEAS are not copyright protected so you can take the underlying ideas behind any copyrighted work and develop your own works based on such ideas.

      Cheers,

      Amy
      Hi Amy,

      ok... lets go in the open. I´m not really worried about someone stealing this niche...

      the site is: Learn Surf

      it is only 2 days old, so not huge or pretty (still didn´t template it properly).

      the first 3 pages have transcriptions, more or less, that I will change.

      the forth already has additional information and some changes.

      the pictures I took where the ones with the waves and the names of the different parts. I can take any wave picture an do it myself, so it is not an issue.

      I already contacted the designers of the website that did the videos asking for permission to post them and the transcriptions (the site has no contact info at sight). Still didn´t come back to me.

      I already contacted the main advertisers in the videos to ask if they had an affiliate program, still didn´t come back to me.

      I will contact the surfers too, they are in facebook asking for something I can put about them.

      As you see, the name of the site has some authority embedded, so it has to deliver.

      In this particular case, the transcription IS the best for the user experience from my point of view.

      I am not afraid of writing content, I just feel this would provide the best service.

      I will wait for the guys to talk, and if they don´t I will get all fluffy.

      Thanks!!

      Sandra
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Hi Terry,

      how´s it going? long time no see!

      I actually contacted the owners of the content asking for permission. Lets see what they say.

      Sandra
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      • Profile picture of the author Terry Crim
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by Terry Crim View Post

          Hey cutie pie, How U doin? LOL

          You know Sandra, just to be safe, you know what I would recommend? Doing your own freaking video's! LOL

          Looks like you are putting in the work to create an entire product or even product line here, why not just do your own video's on the same stuff. Plus you can use your own voice and get tons more response than whatever lame ass person you are embedding into your site.

          Plus you can put your hotsy totsy attitude and personal spark into it. Emphasis on the Hotsy... LOL

          Anyway that's my recommendation, to quit screwing off on others crap content and do your own. Yeah, yeah I know your response but that's what I am saying so...



          - T
          LOL c´mon Terry, be serious!! I am not getting on a surf board!!

          These guys are professional surfers, and they are pretty cool.

          (hum... where did i put the black bikini? )
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          • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
            Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

            LOL c´mon Terry, be serious!! I am not getting on a surf board!!

            These guys are professional surfers, and they are pretty cool.

            (hum... where did i put the black bikini? )
            Haha I am going to agree that you are very pretty.(don't want to seem offensive with hot haha) but yea be creative with what you do on the website. it will turn out well.
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