YouTube has created a new team, which will focus on minimizing copyright video takedown mistakes.
In the last few weeks, YouTube has been hit with allegations over copyright videos such as clips of Call of Duty. YouTube has agreed that it has taken down many videos erroneously and the dedicated team will reduce further mistakes and ensure that videos are taken down for legitimate reasons.
Spencer, a member of YouTube's Policy Team, wrote in a blog that feedback from viewers has been very important for taking vital decisions. Spencer says that in 2008 there was no appeal process for the removal of videos and user feedback made the company to realize that YouTube should have a channel that will help users to alert of any mistake made by the company.
YouTube has been working on video takedowns for a while and wants to make an impact on the number of videos taken down. The company apologized for its video takedowns and confirmed the setup of a dedicated team, which will monitor video takedowns.
"The good news is that the feedback you've raised in comments and videos on YouTube and beyond is having an impact," says Spencer. "It's caused us to look closely at our policies and helped us identify areas where we can get better. It's led us to create a team dedicated to minimizing mistakes and improving the quality of our actions."
The new team is expected to improve communications between YouTube and content creators.
Video removals from YouTube are mainly dependent on automated screening. When copyright owners think that their content has been uploaded on YouTube without permission they can submit a copyright complaint.
After screening, the video may be removed from YouTube and the uploader gets a copyright strike.
"If you get a copyright strike that means your video has been taken down from YouTube because a copyright owner sent us a complete legal request asking us to do so. When a copyright owner formally notifies us that you don't have their permission to post their content on the site, we're required by law to take down your upload," says YouTube.
After getting a warning, some YouTube features are removed from the account. YouTube can also terminate an account if the user gets three copyright strikes.
A dedicated human team is expected to minimize any errors made by automated screening. YouTube suggests that it will roll out some initiatives in the "coming months" that will help strengthen the communication between YouTube support and video makers.
Photo: Rego Korosi | Flickr
