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YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

github.com

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Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#921

Post by jk700 »

larrik wrote: post #105
jchw wrote: post #4

Note that RIAA is making this takedown because the software CAN be used to download copyrighted music and videos, and it uses examples in the ~~README~~(unit tests, see correction[1]) as an example of that: > We also note that the source code prominently includes as sample uses of the source code the downloading of copies of our members’ copyrighted sound recordings and music videos, as noted in Exhibit A hereto. For…

The fact that copyrighted works were included in the readme shows it was intended for that use, and the RIAA complaint will likely stand up to any legal scrutiny. Just because it can be used for legit purposes too won't matter in the slightest. I mean, Napster could have been used for legal means as well, and it got destroyed in court. The only chance tools like this have legally is when infringement is an "unintende…

> The fact that copyrighted works were included in the readme shows it was intended for that use

It's an alternative web browser for videos, of course it was intended for copyrighted works, just like Chrome is. I don't understand your argument, is creating alternative web browsers illegal in the US somehow?

Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#922

Post by toci »

pmoriarty wrote: post #563
jchw wrote: post #4

Note that RIAA is making this takedown because the software CAN be used to download copyrighted music and videos, and it uses examples in the ~~README~~(unit tests, see correction[1]) as an example of that: > We also note that the source code prominently includes as sample uses of the source code the downloading of copies of our members’ copyrighted sound recordings and music videos, as noted in Exhibit A hereto. For…

Does it really matter what they said? This is like the reverse of those common disclaimers on hacking tools and tutorials which claim: This is for educational use only. I've always wondered, are courts fooled by such disclaimers? Are their authors untouchable just because they put in some boilerplate disclaimer like that? As for what was written in some code somewhere in the repo, it could have been written by anyone…

> I think within a year there'll be multiple alternatives to youtube-dl which will all bear disclaimers that they are "for educational purposes only" and that they in no way endorse copyright infringement.

i dont think you have to wait that long. its client side, its open source, people have the code, it will most likely be maintained further, just not on github.

this is just meant as a backup, but here you go:

https://git.svarun.dev/ytdl-org/youtube-dl

or get the source with

    pip download --no-binary=:all: youtube-dl

Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#924

Post by kristopolous »

anovikov wrote: post #813

Super surprising that software like this could exist in the legal space and with known creators. I mean, it's obviously a pirating app, it makes every effort to circumvent download protection right?

No it's not at all. It's infrastructure.

Mpv uses it, ffmpeg can use it.

It's a generalized tool just like a hammer, the dreaded murder or construction weapon depending on intent..

The DMCA has always been a way of forbidding tools, as if that's the kind of nanny state we want: trusted with assault rifles but not trusted with a python script.

Alright chill, makes total sense

Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#925

Post by jncraton »

trevyn wrote: post #864
jncraton wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The file sharing cases of the early 2000's have drawn some lines around the noninfringing use defense, though. Napster and Grokster both claimed, in court, to support noninfringing uses. However, both products promoted their products as offering free access to copyright-protected works, and the courts took notice of that in both cases-- I believe that the Grokster opinion may have noted that Grokster had never ment…

What? It just needs to host the Git repo in a country that does not care about these sorts of things.

Correct. Distributing and developing illegal software (as RIAA has declared youtube-dl to be) is a solved problem technically.

I'd like to see a case surrounding software like this actually defended in a court, though. It would be helpful to clarify what is legal and what is not on the modern Internet in terms of fair use and time shifting.

Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#928

Post by pteraspidomorph »

sakoht wrote: post #288

Setting aside the evils of the DMCA itself: Seems clearly that if youtube authorizes downloads, then people shouldn't put things on youtube they don't want downloaded? The takedown notices should be going to youtube. But of course they want to use youtube to promote themselves.

If the video is viewed directly on youtube, the majority of viewers will also be served ads which generate revenue that is shared with the copyright holder (note how youtube identifies the music in the video and who the copyright holder is below the description of the video). So it's not about not wanting it downloaded, it's about not wanting the ads circumvented.

Re: YouTube-dl has received a DMCA takedown from RIAA

#930

Post by andrey_utkin »

yoz-y wrote: post #318
andrey_utkin wrote: post #201

Who needs Peertube when there's Youtube, some people asked yesterday: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24855183

If peertube instances started to host RIAA affiliated content they might get a DMCA notice as well.

The instances yes, but not client apps.
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