Several companies have come forward to offer help to YouTube users with copyright issues involving their games (via IGN).
The recent changes to YouTube’s policies, specifically those regarding content copyright rules, have many users with gaming related channels fending off claims to their content. It would seem these claims are not, as previously suspected, being placed by the companies themselves, but by a new automatic flagging system that YouTube has put in place.
As one of the first to extend its support, Ubisoft began sending out messages to affected YouTube users, advising those flagged by Ubisoft or ‘idol’ to leave their videos live and contact the publisher directly. The message reads:
"As you’re probably aware, many YouTubers this week have suddenly been hit with various copyright claims related to in-game audio. In June last year, Ubisoft set out its policy opening the door for channels to make videos using game content and to monetise bespoke content.
"If you happen to be hit with claims on any of your Ubisoft content, it may be that some of the audio is being auto-matched against the music catalogue on our digital stores – it might show up as being claimed by our distributor ‘idol’. In such cases please take the following steps and we can get it cleared for you.
Leave the video live for now.
Send us the URL of the affected video and let us know who flagged it.
We’ll get it cleared hopefully same day.
"Hope this helps, thanks for all your support over the past year and for all the amazing videos! Look forward to working with you in a very exciting 2014!"
Likewise, other companies, like Blizzard and Capcom, are recommending that users do the same for flagged videos related to their content.
It seems unlikely these issues will cease anytime soon, but if anything, this news suggests that content creators aren’t the only ones disgruntled about YouTube’s policy decisions.
Do you think the involvement of companies like Blizzard and Capcom will help get these issues stamped out? Let us know in the comments section below.