Senate Bill could end streaming game footage, other copyright content

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The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that could have far-reaching implications for users of YouTube and other streaming-video sites, including fans and producers of "let's play" game videos. Senate bill S.978 would change the way copyright laws are enforced online, adding the possibility of criminal penalties, including jail time, for people who stream copyrighted material without prior authorization.

The bill, sponsored by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a felony. People who stream content valued at $2,500 or more online 10 or more times during a 180-day period face up to five years in prison. The bill, which can be read here, is broadly worded. As Shoryuken points out in a great editorial, the current version of the bill could include such YouTube staples as kids lip-synching to popular music or even karaoke performances in a bar. More troubling is the possibility that the act of embedding someone else's video onto a page could be considered a violation, according to the bill.

Copyright holders currently have legal means to pull unauthorized content from sites, including cease and desist orders and fines. The thought of adding criminal penalties to these cases, including jail time, is a new spin on the issue.

If you're upset by the legislation and would like to make your voice heard, Demand Progress has made it easy to voice your displeasure to the powers that be.

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This is honestly one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. I wish the government would get out of the internet.

That is crazy. I can understand at most a small fine for someone putting it up, but jail for watching it? really USA? I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

That is crazy. I can understand at most a small fine for someone putting it up, but jail for watching it? really USA? I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

OmniXIISlash

It's just so ridiculous. A person could be sent to jail for lip-syncing a song, which really is basically free advertisement for the music industry. And same thing goes for gameplay videos and the like.

Demand Progress has a tendency of over dramatizing internet based legislation. Its nice that they keep people informed of various bills that are written but they exaggerate the effects of bills as well as the likelihood of them being passed. They remind me of the boy who cried wolf. They make so many false alarms that its hard to know when a real threat is emerging.

Odds are if the bill is broadly worded it will get voted down. Remember there are hundreds of dumb bills proposed each month. If the bill does get through the senate it also has to get through the house and the president. Worst case scenario, its brought before the Supreme court. I can see congress wanting to make stricter laws on copyrighted material and make bigger fines but I doubt adding jail time to the equation will be seen as favorable.

Anyone want to move to the UK? We're the new land of freedom.SolidSnake35

People could actually do something to stop this. But lets just stand in awe of the stupidity of the current generation in charge(because thats really all we can and actually want to do) and pathetically wait for our turn to be hated by the coming generation lol
the wheels of history moves in sweet irony.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]Anyone want to move to the UK? We're the new land of freedom.mattbbpl

also you'll go to jail if you try to defend your home from intruders. no guns in the uk, but you can politely talk to the thief while they steal your possessions and murder your family.

edit : stabbing home intruders has officially been ok'ed in the UK... im sure everyone will sleep better tonight

this bill wouldnt be nearly as bad if it was strictly stopping online streaming (illegal) of movies and tv shows and such, but for some reason they decided that they had to include performances, and thats just beyond stupid

MAFIAA up in this

Haha. We're in an economic crisis, and one of the topics on their priorities list is on-line streaming of video games, and music? Leave it to congress... And a democrat no less.:roll:

But really it's pretty suspicious that something so small would even come up. Makes me wonder what exactly is in that bill...

People could actually do something to stop this. But lets just stand in awe of the stupidity of the current generation in charge(because thats really all we can and actually want to do) and pathetically wait for our turn to be hated by the coming generation lol
the wheels of history moves in sweet irony.

Toadso

I know this probably doesn't mean much, but that's the truest comment I've seen on these boards yet.

What makes people think this is even going to be passed?

[QUOTE="Toadso"]

People could actually do something to stop this. But lets just stand in awe of the stupidity of the current generation in charge(because thats really all we can and actually want to do) and pathetically wait for our turn to be hated by the coming generation lol
the wheels of history moves in sweet irony.

Poncho_Hachacha

Lead by example. Honestly, there is no point in protesting this bill because it won't even be passed. You'd be wasting your time.

i just dont get who this would help.big companies get advertising on their proeducts cause of steaming and the average person is able to enjoy whatching said content. just seems like a weird bill

I don't stream stuff, but I do like watching streams..Why do they have to ruin everything.berserker2389

Anyone want to move to the UK? We're the new land of freedom.SolidSnake35

Yeah, it's like the UK and US are switching roles(Canada is not that bad either...I love thier women)lol...Sorry, back on topic. I'm all for protecting other peoples property but some of the stuff included in that bill is just stupid.

[QUOTE="berserker2389"]I don't stream stuff, but I do like watching streams..Why do they have to ruin everything.kuraimen

WHA? You can't be serious?:|

Notch, the creator of Minecraft, said that it might not be all that bad, that companies might just be able to add a specific clause into their Terms of Use that allows streaming. Seeing as Notch makes games, I would assume he knows what he is talking about. Link to Notch's statement.

Edit: I still don't want to see the bill passed, thats for sure, but it may not be as big a deal as many people are saying.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]Anyone want to move to the UK? We're the new land of freedom.MarcRecon

Yeah, it's like the UK and US are switching roles(Canada is not that bad either...I love thier women)lol...Sorry, back on topic. I'm all for protecting other peoples property but some of the stuff included in that bill is just stupid.

[QUOTE="berserker2389"]I don't stream stuff, but I do like watching streams..Why do they have to ruin everything.kuraimen

What makes people think this is even going to be passed? [QUOTE="Poncho_Hachacha"]

[QUOTE="Toadso"]

People could actually do something to stop this. But lets just stand in awe of the stupidity of the current generation in charge(because thats really all we can and actually want to do) and pathetically wait for our turn to be hated by the coming generation lol
the wheels of history moves in sweet irony.

Famiking

Lead by example. Honestly, there is no point in protesting this bill because it won't even be passed. You'd be wasting your time.

I don't agree with this bill for many reasons:
-The content uploaded by users in video streaming websites is not solely created by creators as users add music clips, commentaries, graphic and sound effects to those videos.
-Users who upload videos often include legal disclaimer in the info section of the video.
-Videos with content from a video game aren't different from blogs or written game guides. Just because the guide or walk through comes in the form of a footage doesn't mean it's different.
-Uploading videos legally has no effect on the sales of existing copies of CD, DVDs, books and video games.If content creators want a share, they should askthe websitefor an amount because it's the place where these videos are being uploaded.

awww dont worry guys, this is not likely to be passed. its a violation of the first amendment. when it comes time to vote on the bill, the congress people will realize it and vote against it.

I mean its like publishing a newspaper and arresting the people who read it

Just wondering, who came up with this bill? That's the question.

[QUOTE="mattbbpl"][QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]Anyone want to move to the UK? We're the new land of freedom.z4twenny

also you'll go to jail if you try to defend your home from intruders. no guns in the uk, but you can politely talk to the thief while they steal your possessions and murder your family.

edit : stabbing home intruders has officially been ok'ed in the UK... im sure everyone will sleep better tonight

I lol'd so hard.

"that's a nice set of speakers, eh? why don't you take the record player too. or maybe the coffe table thats quite expensive, actually."