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It´s been quite a while since I wrote any “personal” rants about Youtube, but I’m just about to do this now. As I’m fed up of being ripped off by Youtube´s copyright system. Here´s the thing, this is not the first time that we (and many others) have had problems with Youtube´s monetization system. To be honest, it seems like this is a recurring problem. In fact, I do remember that we had the same exact problem back I August last year. So I contacted Youtube about it, since pretty much every single video had been denied the ability to use Google Ads for monetization.

Sure, we´re not a big Youtube channel, but even so. I still don´t like to get fooled out of my money. Especially not when we have worked hard for them, but just like I stated earlier. This has happened to us several times in the past, and I have made at least three videos about it. Even back in July last year I far saw that things would get even worse with Youtube and their content id system over time.

In the matter of fact, in my “Youtube is ripping us off – Aliens Infestation – Part 14” video (the movie was uploaded on the 29th of July 2014) I pointed the following out (I’m quoting myself):

“This is not the first time that I have ranted about Youtube and their “new” copyright rules. However, this time they have reached an all-time low. I´m of course talking about the new content id system (the updated version). Because we can´t be the only ones that have noticed that it doesn’t matter what you do, your videos WILL get stripped from the right to monetize on them (that´s probably why a lot of third-party companies have started to offer their services to Youtube creators).

So you basically have to make everything by yourself, the music, the animations, the pictures, every single thing. And I can´t say that I’m all that happy that Google bought Twitch TV just recently. Because something tells me that Twitch TV will become Youtube 2.0 over time. And that means bye, bye creativity and the joy of making videos. And good day to copyright problems and monetize blocking.” – Robin Ek, The Gaming Ground

Amazon saved Twitch (us) from Youtube´s copyright madness

Thankfully enough, i was wrong about the “Google buys Twitch TV” part, but at that time (in July last year) everyone really thought that Google had bought Twitch for 1 billion dollars. As Amazon bought Twitch for 970 million dollars back in August last year, because “if” Google had bought Twitch. Then they would have had wayyyy too much power when it comes to video streams and video upload services (it´s enough that they dominate the video upload market).

Youtube started to deny us money for our new videos back in May (May the 15th to be exact).

It’s my way or the highway, the search for a new video upload service

So I really that there will be good alternatives to Youtube when it comes to game and Gaming-related videos as soon as possible. Sure, you got sites such as Vimeo, Vevo, Dailymotion, Metacafe and Facebook’s video sharing (and upload) service. However, most of those sites aren’t particularly aimed towards a Gaming audience.

Let´s face it though, Youtube has become a Nightmare to use for both viewers and content creators alike, due to the strict copyright rules. That´s also why i came to the conclusion that there will soon only be five “safe” ways to earn money on your Youtube videos, and that´s the following:

1. Donations from fans (via Paypal, Patreon and similar donation services)

2. Sell stuff via Your Youtube channel (cloths, coffee mugs and so on)

3. Wear clothes or gears that you get paid to wear, or you just read up a “and this video is sponsored by” message at the very beginning of your video.

4. Have third-party ads in your videos

5. Paid to do video-ads (a whole video dedicated to product, service or whatever)

I should also point out that I even tried to upload an ugly picture that I made I paint today (I added no sound, music nor my voice to the video). Well, guess what? I still had no monetization options whatsoever on that video. It gets’ far worse though, because trolls, haters (or jealous people) can actually get Youtube to ban you from using Google Ads on your Youtube videos. And wow can they do that? Since all they have to do is to abuse the Google ads system, or example by clicking the same ad 20, or 30 times.

Though luck, but don´t even think about bothering the Youtube support with this kind of issue though. As they tend to ignore mails of any kind (especially requests or question based mails). So you´re basically in a chock hold by Youtube, well, at least until they decide to release the firm grip of your throat (for the time being).

In a way, Youtube reminds me a lot about Telia (a Swedish Internet service provider), Vattenfall (a Swedish electricity company) or SJ (a Swedish train traveling company. They do as they please simply because they can, as a vast majority of the people have no other choice then to use their services. ..

When game devs steal other people’s code, design or concept, YOU have to pay the consequences for their actions

The creator of “Track Racing Online” used a lot of a lot of assets from Ubisoft´s “Track Mania” series.

I´ve got one more unpleasant Youtube surprise to unwrap for you guys as well. I originally intended to write about this matter back in March or April this year, but I honestly forgot all about it. So I will write about it now instead. Anyhow, back in March our “Track Racing Online” video got copyright flagged by Ubisoft-Nadeo (which would be a Ubisoft in-house studio, and the makers of the “Track Mania series”).

Why? Because apparently the developer of “Track Racing Online” used a lot of asses (code, design, etc.) from Ubisoft-Nadeo´s “Track Mania” series. So we got caught in the crossfire. In other words, a problem which we had no control over ended up becoming OUR problem. At first, I mailed the Youtube support repeatedly, but they couldn´t have cared less about helping us.

So i had to get in contact with the World Community Manager of Ubisoft-Nadeo (Cedric Anthony) to get help, and this is the actual mail conversation that we had back in March this year (thank you very much for the help Anthony!):

My mail to Ubisoft-Nadeo:

“Hi there 🙂

My name is Robin Ek, and i´m the owner and CEO for The Gaming Ground (thegg.net). I just found out that we have received a copyright claim by you guys for our “Track Racing Online” video. So i would like to know what that´s all about? Because as far as i know, that game was made by an indie dev which we signed a contract with over 1 year ago…

So i would be really thankful if we could work this out some how. And if you want the video removed from Youtube, we will do that with no sweat.

Copyright claimer:
Subsidiary of Ubisoft
maniaplanet
Cedric Anthony
[email protected]
TrackMania

The Youtube video in question:
maniaplanet on Track Racing Online – A crazy stunt and racing game – The Gaming Ground
Video-ID: JNHBt1dYto8

Have a nice day! Robin TGG”

Ubisoft-Nadeo´s Answer:

“Hello Robin,

I’m Cedric Anthony, the Community Manager at Ubisoft Nadeo, the studio which made the Trackmania games. Nice to meet you 🙂

We starting to take down the videos about “Track Racing Online” because this game use most of the materials of our game(s) Trackmania Nations (ESWC/Forever and Trackmania² Stadium).

“Your” independant developer is using without authorization our copyright contents and that’s why we moderate them.

We mean no harm to ()especially you or him as long as he respect our creation 🙂

If you want more information about Trackmania, you can check the official websites:

Trackmania² Stadium: http://maniaplanet.com/fr/trackmania/stadium/ (available since June 2013)
Trackmania Nations Forever: http://trackmaniaforever.com/?affiliate=nadeo (available since April 2008 (January 2006 for the ESWC edition))

As you can see in the videos, Track Racing Online is using a lot of assets of our games, from the tracks, the skins of the cars, the medals, even the checkpoints from our games (and you can see a lot of Trackmania or Nadeo logos in Track Racing Online, i think it shows of much contents have been stolen).

The only thing we ask is the removal of the videos containing our assets as well as our assets in the game itself.

Best regards,

Cerovan,
World Community Manager @Ubisoft-Nadeo”

My mail to Ubisoft-Nadeo:

“Hi Cerovan

Ah ha, it´s a Ubisoft studio? Then i understand. Nice to meet you as well mate =) Oh…Now i see the problem more than well. I should have figured, because when i recorded that video 1 year ago, i thought that it was really familiar to Trackmania (in more than one aspect).

So how can we solve the Youtube copyright thing? Because we got limited Youtube functions until 2015-08-16 because of this…It would be really nice if you could get in touch with Youtube about this
(https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2807691/).

So that the copyright claim will be removed. We will of course remove the “Track Racing Online” movie as soon as it´s done. One thing is for sure though, we won´t record (or work) with the devs of that game anymore.

As for TrackMania, if you got any news or anything about it. Then we can write, review, do interviews or make movies for your game/games.

Thank you for your time. Robin TGG”

Ubisoft-Nadeo´s Answer:

“I just sent a request to Youtube to remove the complaint and ask to remove your limitation.

Best regards,

Cerovan,
World Community Manager @Ubisoft-Nadeo”

Your absolutely powerless against copyright claims on Youtube

So as you can see, your absolutely powerless against copyright claims. You get no pre-warnings, no, nothing. Nope, Youtube just gives you a sharp warning straight away instead, and that means that you have been stripped from most of your Youtube privileges as a content creator for the next six months, yes, you read it right, 6 MONTHS! You will also only be allowed to upload 15 minute long videos at max.

That´s just the half of it though. Because if you get two warnings on Youtube, you will be stuck with those warnings forever, and if your unlucky enough to get a third warning on top of that. Well, let´s just say that your days as a content creator for Youtube have been counted fo.Because once you get three warnings on Youtube, your account (and ALL your videos) will then get deleted (that´s why you should ALWAYS back up your most popular videos regularly).

This is of course a pure nightmare for anyone whom wants to be creative with their videos on Youtube, since you will have to hold back a lot due to the fear of harsh copyright rules. In fact, I still remember that one time when YouTube’s Content ID system even flagged Jonathan Blow´s video of his own game “Braid” (this “incident” took place in December 2013).

So it seems like Youtube’s damn content ID bot runs amok from time to time….And here´s a thought, what would have happened if one of your “none-monetized videos” gets 1 million views, then who gets the money? This was everything that I had to say on this matter (for now), so feel free to share your thoughts and opinions about Youtube and their content copyright rules as well.

Resources:
Youtube is ripping us off – Aliens Infestation – Part 14

Youtube copyrights and warnings – Max Payne – EP3

The Youtube copyright disaster – Brutal Doom v19 – Inferno #6