Warner Music Issues DMCA Takedown on Larry Lessig Presentation

[Goronmon]

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090428/1738424686.shtml

If there were anyone out there to whom you would not want to send a random takedown notice for an online video, it would probably be Larry Lessig. Given that Lessig has become the public face for those who feel that copyright has been stretched too far, as well as being a founder of Stanford's Fair Use Project, and who's written multiple books on these issues, you would think (just maybe) that any copyright holder would at least think twice before sending a DMCA takedown on a Larry Lessig presentation.

Apparently, you'd be wrong.

I wonder what Warner's motivation is for this case. Did they do this because they are seeking a big judgment or because someone was a bit too quick on the draw with their "DMCA Threat" button?

[cppcrusader]

I wonder what Warner's motivation is for this case. Did they do this because they are seeking a big judgment or because someone was a bit too quick on the draw with their "DMCA Threat" button?

After watching the video I'd say it's probably a little bit of being too quick on the draw and a lot of not liking the content of the presentation itself.

And in case anyone overlooked it in the article here's the video (http://blip.tv/file/1937322).

[Shadowstorm]

They picked the wrong guy to fuck with, that's for sure.

[biosc1]

20 minutes in and still no idea why this deserved a DMCA takedown. I understand why they issued it, but they obviously did it without thinking about it.

This is a presentation talking about media/network/platforms today for entertainment. Talking about remixes (read/write) and how copyright laws are causing issues with the creative things we are seeing with digital technologies today.

He uses a lot of mash-ups/youtube references, but nothing more than short clips.

Edit: Okay, just finished watching that 49 minute video. The Barbara Streisand effect was in full force because I would not have watched that video without the DMCA takedown bringing it to my attention.

It was a good video. A lot of it was common sense about how the industry needs to adapt, but I think it was a very fair argument. He doesn't propose a drastic change to copyright law, but something down the middle, something that is good for the professionals and amateurs.

The DMCA takedown must have been a mistake, a knee-jerk reaction or automated process.

[johnperkins21]

The DMCA takedown must have been a mistake, a knee-jerk reaction or automated process.

I'd venture to guess it was issued for the same reason most of these are (and a big reason why the practice needs to stop), censorship. They probably didn't like what he had to say, and have every legal right to issue a DMCA notice of takedown. It's complete and utter BS that they can get away with this sort of crap.

[Ox]

I'd venture to guess it was issued for the same reason most of these are (and a big reason why the practice needs to stop), censorship.
Uh, every DCMA takedown order is censorship. So is every libel suit, copyright case, or request that you stop swearing quite so much in front of the kids. Pointing out something is censorship is like pointing out that someone is breathing.