YouTube has been under fire recently for allowing uploads of videos that utilize unauthorized music. How easy is it to find a young teen singing into a hair-brush, performing a cover of some popular piece in his/her bedroom? Right – very very easy. So it would seem perhaps YouTube is not doing much to protect the work of musicians. Sure, there have been a few big-deal, notable cases, but the fact is, infringements are obvious and everywhere on the popular social media site.

I came across this article and decided to share just a little bit of this insight. This post, by Suzanne Lainson, shows that YouTube might not be as apathetic to unauthorized use of music as it is sometimes made out to be. YouTube doesn’t have a perfect system, but it is doing something - trying to give consumers the ability to watch and upload what they want without offending and mistreating those who work so hard to create music. The company is innovating the system, attempting to strike a balance between copyright laws and user creativity.

Users are supposed to get permission from the copyright holder before uploading their videos, but we all know there are a great deal of users out there who do not go that route either because they don’t know any better because they ignored the YouTube instructions, they don’t know how to go about doing so, or they simply think it doesn’t matter. But this does not mean the content will be uploaded without any type of screening. YouTube utilizes a system called Content ID. Each upload is compared to all of the reference files in YouTube’s database. If a match is found, the rights owners are notified and given the opportunity to block or allow the copy to be published. So there is a system in tact on YouTube’s end to protect rights owners. And it’s quite original.

Additionally, YouTube provides the necessary incentive for most rights holders to agree to let their property be used. The exposure one can gain on the site is unbelievable. YouTube offers unmatched opportunities for both rights owners and users.  So let’s cut YouTube a little slack. It could be redesigning licensing, opening doors for creativity and recognition and profits. The system is far from perfect, but there is a system, and little by little it seems to be working itself out.

Of course there are arguments on either side of the spectrum and perhaps I’m just easily impressed by this information.  Check out the link to find out more about this topic. What do you think? Feel free to share your ideas!