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Nintendo planning YouTube revenue-splitting affiliate program
Nintendo is planning a revenue-sharing affiliate program for those using gameplay footage of its games on YouTube. Video bloggers and "Let's Play" creators alike will need permission from the publisher to broadcast their gameplay clips, according to two tweets from the publisher (as translated by Gamasutra). Just over one year ago, Nintendo issued Content ID Match copyright claims on YouTube videos that featured gameplay clips from its suite of published titles. After the backlash that followed the House of Mario attempting to obtain the whole pie from YouTubers, it's now settling for a slice of it: The new affiliate program would see ad revenue from videos split among Nintendo, Google and the video creators themselves. Nintendo is apparently getting a head start, as it has already tagged recent gameplay videos, placing their advertisements on them. It's still unknown whether YouTube's Content ID Match system would affect livestreaming platform Twitch, providing the reports that YouTube is in talks to acquire Twitch for $1 billion go through. [Image: Nintendo]
Non-profit resource launched in response to YouTube Content ID crackdown
Defender's Quest developer Lars Doucet has launched an online resource for the Let's Play community following YouTube's recent expansion of its Content ID Match system, which resulted in widespread revenue denial for affected content creators. Inspired by the community-rallying #wholetsplay Twitter hashtag and a Wikia resource that emerged in the aftermath of YouTube's increase in music-detecting copyright claims, Doucet's website will offer advice and workarounds specifically geared toward the Let's Play community. The site will additionally warn creators and developers of "bad actors" in the music reselling space who aggressively pursue Content ID matches, and will highlight studios who grant YouTube users permission to earn revenue from recorded gameplay footage. "The website will have some standard legal language that will be available to everyone to use, and educate them on these legal minefields in a simple and clear way," Doucet told Polygon. "We'd also like to create some badges, much like creative commons does, that go along with the license materials, which developers can use to advertise what legal ground they stand on, advertising that their music is safe to use." YouTube recently addressed its Content ID Match expansion, explaining that the rights to in-game music are frequently resold to music labels and other aggregators, who may pursue action against channel owners who host matched content. The service currently recommends users to remove background music from affected videos in order to re-enable monetization.
YouTube explains its expanded Content ID system, rise in claims
YouTube's Content ID program scans videos for copyrighted content – music, graphics and the like – and gives the copyright holder the option to monetize, block or track these videos. YouTube recently revamped Content ID, and some Let's Play personalities have received claims, mostly targeting the music in their videos. When a copyright holder monetizes or blocks flagged content, the Let's Player can't monetize that video anymore. In an email acquired by Kotaku, YouTube explains its Content ID system and offers tips for Let's Play creators: "Last week, we expanded the system to scan more channels, including those affiliated with a multi-channel network ("MCN"). As a result, some channels, including many gaming channels, saw claims appear against their videos from audio or video copyright holders. Keep in mind one video may contain multiple copyrighted works, any of which could potentially result in a claim." The email continues, "Online rights are often resold to companies like music labels and aggregators. While you might not recognize the owner, this doesn't necessarily mean their claims are invalid .... Know that we love what you do. We've worked hard to design Content ID and other tools to give everyone - from individual creators to media companies - the opportunity to make great videos and earn money." As for the tips, YouTube links to its copyright support page, where content creators can dispute claims and learn more about Fair Use and Content ID. It also reminds users to "be aware of music," and suggests turning off background music but keeping on sound effects. A few publishers – Capcom, Ubisoft, Deep Silver, Blizzard – ask YouTubers to contest any Content ID claims as quickly as possible so they can be dismissed.
Gameplay videos getting flagged on YouTube again
YouTube has confirmed it's taking a fresher, steely approach to videos flagged by its "Content ID Match" system, which will have an impact on monetization of Let's Play content. Prominent accounts such as TheRadBrad, TetraNinja and GhostRobo have received claims, which seem to be targeting music specifically. A YouTube representative told Game Informer that these claims are part of some policy updates to better help content networks be more transparent. "Nothing illustrates the incredible growth and evolution of YouTube better than the enterprise class of businesses being built on the platform today," the statement reads. "As these networks grow, we're making product and policy updates that will help them operate at scale. We are also rolling out tools that will provide more transparency for creators and networks alike. This is part of our commitment to ensure that all enterprise partners can continue to thrive and be successful on YouTube." Some publishers, such as Capcom, Deep Silver, Ubisoft and Blizzard, are asking users to contest the claims so they can quickly dismiss the dispute from their end, while others report a third-party account called 4GamerMovie is specifically targeting all Metro: Last Light footage. Another company called IDOL, which has been known to issue claims on a much smaller scale in the past, is also contesting YouTube videos. Earlier this year, Nintendo issued mass claims for a wide number of Let's Play videos. While anyone is free to upload footage of a game to YouTube, those videos technically do not fall under Fair Use.
