YouTube Strikes Back!

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 8 Aug 2013 8:49 am

Just noticed that some of my favorite YT channels were closed (cweiandnd and RoyalRustic among them) because of copyright violations, reported by Oprylive, Warner Brothers and WebSheriff. These channels had a lot of live video clips for CW and related styles, nothing that was really brand new and of any commercial value (IMO), they also did not present and copyrighted training material etc. Just plain good music. I used to watch these channels a lot and even bought stuff (DVDs etc.) after seeing it on Youtube. Not anymore...

Be proud, guys, another victory for the big industry.

Kind Regards, Walter

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 8 Aug 2013 11:22 am

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 8 Aug 2013 11:53 am

I'm amazed that more music is not taken off Youtube and R.F.D. channel also. I think those copyright laws stink. The big record companies say they are losing big bucks from stuff like YouTube and R.F.D. channel and such. It's not a matter of copyright, it's a matter of greed from B.M.I., AsCap and the other copryright companies that bleed little places and little people out of money just to play a few songs. I'll probably get some flack from some but just my 2 cents. I think it's unconstitutional to make people pay for playing music. Something as big as YouTube and public TV and radio is different but I'm talking about the little oprys and show and etc.
I remember one year was listening to Steel Radio St. Louis convention and was waiting for Weldon Myrick to play. When he came on, they announced that his session would not be aired because of copyright laws, pure BS in my book.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 8 Aug 2013 3:37 pm

Henry, in that instance I think that the copyright issue is pure BS. There are lots of serious copyright issues regarding pirating and illegal downloads. I think India and areas of Southeast Asia are dealing with something like a larger than 50% black market share of the economy when it comes to everything from perfume, clothes , and it is much higher when it comes to entertainment wares like DVD's , cds and mass downloads and electronics,and then it makes its way to our ports, so there are much bigger fish to fry if the powers that be are worried about lost revenue. That's billions.

I listen to youtube to listen to older and newer artists, and if I like it enough I go out and buy the record or cd. But I also think that a lot of the big boys are afraid that if people keep finding out about all this other music that has not been aired in decades that people will not want to buy the newer stuff in which they have lots invested. Also think about how many upcoming artists were or are being held back by producers, studios, publishers, promoters, record companies, and established artists so as not to encroach on their money machines. Add a few lawyers and that's a lot of pain. There wouldn't be a music business without greed and ego, so its another picture of the snake eating its tail.

Jim Priebe · Post by **Jim Priebe** » 8 Aug 2013 5:37 pm

I could agree with the actions if the song writer and performers ever got anything ($$$) out of it but I doubt that happens to any degree.
On the other hand, Henry, I think

I think it's unconstitutional to make people pay for playing music.

Is possibly a bit too broad a statement.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 8 Aug 2013 9:14 pm

YouTube and MP3 downloads have pretty much killed CD sales from the Forum store. I probably have over a thousand unsold CDs on the shelves, with little hope of recovering that investment.

www.steelguitarshopper.com/categories/Music/

www.steelguitarmusic.com

Sales of steel guitar instruction courses are down, too. That's just progress, I guess. $:\$

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 9 Aug 2013 7:36 am

Looking at copyright as a performer, I want to get paid for my work so I can keep on performing. As a fan, I want to listen to great music. But there are a lot of people like me who don't have the discretionary spending to support the music. The economy sucks, and I won't touch the politics behind that. But the issue has many sides.

Back when we used cassettes to record off vinyl, we still bought vinyl. But I fear that the longer we go with working class people struggling, the more accustomed Americans will be to getting music for nothing.

b0b, when I have $$$ to spend on recorded music, I will be shopping you up.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 12 Aug 2013 3:03 am

The problem is that the cat is out of the bag. The industry fought against free downloads and copyright infringement for years. Once you give it away,or can get it for free, the value is greatly diminished. Youtube found a loophole and it is exploited all to hell now. I buy most of the music I like, old country records, second hand, and that doesn't help the artist. The shifting global economy, changing medium of music distribution, all the arts really, make it tough. Back in 1992 when I was first getting paid to play, we could make $400 a night between 5 guys(guarantee plus 50% of the door)+ whatever tapes and t-shirts we could sell. That wage has actually gone down.

bOb, I too will make an effort to purchase what I can when I can from your shelves. Please accept my donation in support of this great resource.
-Dan