HBO calls open-source "VLC Media Player" copyright infringement - asks Google to remove links
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 07/16/2013 12:31 PM
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This one bears watching; HBO wants Google to take down links to VLC media player. Only one problem exists here – it’s not illegal. Make that two problems – HBO is wasting their the time (and money) of Google because VLC is a legal, open source media player listed on Majorgeeks as well.
As TorrentFreak points out “It’s no secret that copyright holders are trying to take down as much pirated content as they can, but their targeting of open source software is something new. In an attempt to remove pirated copies of Game of Thrones from the Internet, HBO sent a DMCA takedown to Google, listing a copy of the popular media player VLC as a copyright infringement. An honest mistake, perhaps, but a worrying one.”
TorrentFreak also showed a screenshot (below) that shows the URL in question is simply a link to downloaded the latest build of the open-source player.
Google has told TorrentFreak previously that “We still do our best to catch errors or abuse so we don’t mistakenly disable access to non-infringing material. Google continues to put substantial resources into improving and streamlining this process, including into identifying erroneous and abusive takedowns, and deterring abuse.”
Hopefully Google can explain to the geniuses at HBO why VLC Media Player is, since they obviously never looked.
Google has stated that takedown notices targeting a competing business made up over half (57%) of the notices Google has received, the company said, and more than one-third (37%), "were not valid copyright claims."
Sounds to me like it is time to consider imposing a fine for people who make false claims, something Majorgeeks has been a victim of like many others.
As TorrentFreak points out “It’s no secret that copyright holders are trying to take down as much pirated content as they can, but their targeting of open source software is something new. In an attempt to remove pirated copies of Game of Thrones from the Internet, HBO sent a DMCA takedown to Google, listing a copy of the popular media player VLC as a copyright infringement. An honest mistake, perhaps, but a worrying one.”
TorrentFreak also showed a screenshot (below) that shows the URL in question is simply a link to downloaded the latest build of the open-source player.
Google has told TorrentFreak previously that “We still do our best to catch errors or abuse so we don’t mistakenly disable access to non-infringing material. Google continues to put substantial resources into improving and streamlining this process, including into identifying erroneous and abusive takedowns, and deterring abuse.”
Hopefully Google can explain to the geniuses at HBO why VLC Media Player is, since they obviously never looked.
Google has stated that takedown notices targeting a competing business made up over half (57%) of the notices Google has received, the company said, and more than one-third (37%), "were not valid copyright claims."
Sounds to me like it is time to consider imposing a fine for people who make false claims, something Majorgeeks has been a victim of like many others.
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