YouTube’s NOT the problem, everyone else is just lazy! YouTube has spent years, and massive amounts of money, building a robust content ID system and navigating the legal minefield of copyright. They’ve essentially done the hard work.
Other platforms, especially newer ones, are trying to ride YouTube’s coattails, expecting the same level of leniency without putting in the same effort. They want the benefits without the investment.
“Exemption” isn’t about YouTube getting special treatment; it’s about recognizing the platform’s established systems and the years of legal battles it’s endured.
- Instead of crying foul, other platforms should:
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- Invest in their own content ID and copyright management systems.
- Work with rights holders to establish clear licensing agreements.
- Stop expecting regulatory handouts and start building sustainable business models.
The fact that YouTube has been forced to comply with copyright law for so long, and has built up the systems to do so, should be seen as a benefit to content creators. It provides a level of protection that other platforms do not.
The other platforms are trying to get the same level of protection without doing the work, and that is unfair to YouTube.
So, from here on out the other platforms need to stop whining and start innovating. Regulators should focus on creating a level playing field that incentivizes investment in copyright management, not one that rewards those who avoid it. Content creators should demand that the platforms they use, have effective content ID systems. Unfortunately, copyright laws are complex and often confusing, even for these “major” platforms, let alone the creators. Many may not fully understand their rights or the need for robust content ID systems.
Lastly, implementing effective systems can be expensive and technically challenging, and why platforms have and will continue to resist investing in them properly.
