Recently, I discovered a YouTube video that amounted to a slideshow of old pictures of a location I photographed long ago. The video maker took photos from various sources and compiled them in a video with his own watermark.

I sent a copyright infringement request to YouTube and they took it down.

Then the guy wrote to me last night:

Hello, Jon. You sent me a complaint on copyright. What upset you? I took a photo with an open-source, and same the best photos on many websites. You can insert a link to you? You could not take back the complaint? Say what? Sorry.

And then this morning I got a message from YouTube that he is challenging my claim. They want me to show proof I've filed a motion in a court against him, which is bullshit.

He's a nobody, just passing off other people's work as his own. Have a look, and maybe you'll find your photos or the photos of someone you know.

https://www.youtub...user/VexDit/videos

Just file for damages in small claims court

Posted by Mickael Just file for damages in small claims court

That sounds time-consuming and costly though.

Send YouTube copies of the originals with exif data proving their time stamp and cam data.
Another reason to striped exif data before posting online. This may be enough.

Are the photos posted here Open-Source? I also wonder if he visits this site often. I hope you can fix this without too many issues.

Posted by _Doc Are the photos posted here Open-Source? I also wonder if he visits this site often. I hope you can fix this without too many issues.

As soon as you capture a image, it is yours.
Copyrighting it makes it easier to challenge misuse legally. Without a legal release from the image's owner, misuse can be successfully challenged.
Copyrighten images captured larger penalties for misuse. The purpose in this case is not monetary, but simply removal from the site.
As the owner of the images, Steed has this legal right.

Wikipedia has a strong, almost too strong, take on open source. I've had copyright challenges to my own work that I shared there under an open source licence.

Yep, the fucker is using one of my shots, the shot at 1:32 is mine

What a scumbag. As if their are not enough royalty free pictures hanging around on the internet. But noooooo this guy feels the need steal someone else stuff. Lets hope you can get the video taken down

Posted by Freaktography Yep, the fucker is using one of my shots, the shot at 1:32 is mine

It may not work permanently, but if you send youtube a copyright notice they will temporarily delete it and further flummox the guy.

This guy needs to be taught a lesson

He also has way to much time on his hands, he uploads at least 5 videos a day

Posted by elementofone This guy needs to be taught a lesson He also has way to much time on his hands, he uploads at least 5 videos a day

^this^

Old school style.
Post his full contact info

Posted by blackhawk ^this^ Old school style. Post his full contact info

You have his youtube which might show some username/website preference and is a good place to do some downvoting. The only other thing I have is an email address which I will save for if the video is restored.

Posted by Steed You have his youtube which might show some username preference. The only other thing I have is an email address which I will save for if the video is restored.

No reason to shield this thief. Full disclosure.
It will also help those who wish to sue him for infringement.
Feel the wuv.

I agree with full disclosure. Theft is theft, no way around it. If he did it now he may do it again, so show no mercy, take him down.

Posted by The Juge I agree with full disclosure. Theft is theft, no way around it. If he did it now he may do it again, so show no mercy, take him down.

Ya this fool doesn't deserve privacy. Just thought I would say, I love his english skills in the email that he sent to you.

What a racket! Google Image Search -> Youtube Slide Show -> Ad revenue Profit! Looks like his entire channel is more of the same, lots of repeat photos in various vids too.

I see a lot of his photos are watermarked from stock photography websites. If someone really wanted to fuck with him they could contact those websites about it. I'm pretty sure fair use doesn't apply if he's intending to profit from these videos.

I've noticed that Youtube sometimes says a vid is eligible for ad revenue but some record company is getting all of it since I used their song. Wonder if the same applies here?

Posted by Steed That sounds time-consuming and costly though.

Where are you from? In here, it costs 80$ to file with the small claims court (which the defendant has to reimburse if you win) + the cost of a registered mail to serve him.

All in all, under 100$ + you could claim all his ads revenue as damage. Plus youtube might eventually just close his account.

Posted by Mickael Where are you from? In here, it costs 80$ to file with the small claims court (which the defendant has to reimburse if you win) + the cost of a registered mail to serve him. All in all, under 100$ + you could claim all his ads revenue as damage. Plus youtube might eventually just close his account.

The monetary penalties alone for repeated infringement of a copyright can be substantial. However in the US you file in federal court I believe.

Posted by Mickael Where are you from? In here, it costs 80$ to file with the small claims court (which the defendant has to reimburse if you win) + the cost of a registered mail to serve him. All in all, under 100$ + you could claim all his ads revenue as damage. Plus youtube might eventually just close his account.

Would I file in Korea where I live, Canada where Im from, the US where Google is from, or Russia or whichever East European country this guy is from? And can I really expect such a ruling to be enforced across all these borders?