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Week 6 [19-25.11.18] The EU Copyright Directive

Imagine a world in which music videos like Despacito aren’t available in 28 modern European countries. Based on the current form of Article 11 and Article 13 of EU Copyright Directive reform, that can be our reality really soon.

Please watch the following video that explains an overview of the consequences of EUCD.

If you’re interested in how it might affect YouTube specifically, you can watch the following video as well.

Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?

Sources: Wikipedia: European Union, Colin and Samir: Article 13 Explained, YouTube Creators: Article 13 Burning Questions, European Comission: Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on copyright in the Digital Single Market.

Comments

Wojtek Protasik said…
I was, but I stumbled upon other vide on the internet as well. I hate the fact that EU directives and regulations are brought to people this way. I'm not gonna waste few hours a day to be aware of every action they take and still I want to be informed.

I don't upload, but I learn and get information from uploads, so it is going to affect me indirectly. The idea itself may be right but the execution is pathetic. It's sad that any regulation can be proposed and no one is being held responsible.

Maybe if there was a chance for bureaucrats to actually loose their jobs as a consequence to their actions, they would've been far more careful about the crap they craft there.

Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?

No, I was not. I've only seen some article headings.

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?

Lately I rather browse it, in the past I was uploading a lot of photos taken by me on my blog. These laws won't affect me directly.

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?

I won't. I think that idea might be good, but it's execution might be worse, as usually.
The only thing that matters if whether those articles will kill memes. But of course, on the one hand this will encourage content makers, on the other... A lot of content making actually involves using of referring to another content. Like Dartigan channel from GameSins, which basically requires in-game footage for analysis. So those changes could strike them right in the back.
Well, their immunity against being fired or fined has its advantages as well — they remain brave. Please remember that it was the same EU bureaucrats who introduced GDPR earlier this year, a legislation that actually has a positive impact on general population.
I wouldn't say that dying memes is the only aspect of this reform that matters but I understand what you mean. The unintended consequences of Article 13 as described by YouTube have a far broader reach – in addition to memes, thousands of legitimate educational and commentary videos could also be killed.
Nataliya Tkach said…
Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?
No, I was not.

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?
It depends on the content, I try to upload photos or videos as little as possible. I think that most likely won't affect.

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?
I'm not an EU citizen. My actions wan't affect the reform in any way, even if I spread the word about it.
Peter Clemenza said…
Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?
Discussion websites such as reddit and wykop

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?

Probably. What I think will happen is the EU will become "electronically isolated" in a way. It's going to become a never ending game of whack-a-mole for the EU authorities as they try to hunt down every copyright violation they can find, but I think they are serious.

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?

As far as I know it won’t become officially passed till January 2019 however I don’t really get European Parliament system.
I am not so sure that this law will have such a huge affect on the internet outside of the EU, except for content in languages such as French, German, Italian, Dutch, etc. which might become restricted elsewhere since most of that content originates in the EU.
Unknown said…
I don't know the EUCD reform, I heard about them for the first time in this film.

I don't upload content to the internet, usually the only content I send to my friends. On the other hand, the content that other people send is so - I browse them. And as for the rules - they will probably affect me to some degree, but it's hard to tell.

I don't like these reforms, I think that if I find something interesting, I share it with my friends.
Unknown said…
Yes, I've heard about these new regulations from news media but didn't really pay that much attention to it.
I mostly browse content on the Internet. I think that these regulations won't bring any good to the Internet community especially like it was mentioned before in the comments above, it would only complicate the situation for YouTube creators who make living out of producing content.
But we as regular users will also be affected as some music, videos or online articles won't be available in our country.
One thing I noticed that for the most part, these regulations don't provide any specifics about how this they would work. In my opinion, this could potentially lead to system abuse which would make it possible for everyone who produces content to copystrike other creators which will use their materials or have some kind of reference to them. I think that this will cause lots of trouble in the future and EU commision would probably reconsider these regulations.
Piotr Ciesla said…
Yes, I have heard about it. Youtube is showing information just before you want to start to watch something. Later on, there is a link that sends you to faq page there I've read more about it.

Unfortunately, even if I don't upload content to the Internet I think it will affect us all. We might be cut off from the rest of the world.

I think we all need to say that we do not approve this regulation as it is. We have to make as many people aware as we can.
I've heard about the reform a few days ago from my friend. I am kind of a shameless pirate so i didn't bother much. I do not upload any content except for a few photos in Instagram once in a few months, i hope this law will not affect me but you never know what can happen. I think that these reforms are stupid and will greatly halt progress both cultural and technological, and as a non-EU citizen i would spread awareness about it and if possible take some action.
Kristina Moroz said…
Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?
I have seen some headlines about it. And I knew that it's coming. Every artist want to protect there work.
Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?
I upload only photos on my social media accounts. But if they want me to prove if this my photos or not than I think I will have some issues. It turns out that I need more information about this article cause I've got a lot of questions.

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?
It seems to me a little on the edge. If everything on internet should be checked why shouldn't they block every website.
Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?
Yes, I was familiar with it. I am a layer who focus on the Regulation. I agree that we shouldn't go too far. However, I think many people don't understand the rules properly. Many of us was worried about GDPR and what? No deeply changes.
Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?
Many times as all of us. However, I agree that we should be more familiar with the rules, what is or not legal.
Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?
No, I am not going to do anything with this. As a lawyer, I see we should find the balance between Internet users rights.
I share your opinion. I think we should protect not only Internet but creators as well.
Why do you think that the regulation is so bad?
Cezary Róg said…
I have never heard of EUCD reforms before. I mainly browse the internet and I love youtube. There's a lot of really good and professional content that is worth watching. I think that proposed law may cause the content quality loss. As a person that is actively using youtube, I see that people use a lot of content from other channels, movies or tv shows just to make the video more interesting which most often works. I don't think that it's a bad thing, but some people may have problems with it. I don't know at all what can be done to stop it, but if somebody came to me with an idea, then I'd probably take part in it.
Unknown said…
No, I have not heard of these reforms before.
Thanks for asking. No, I do not upload anything to the Internet, so from that side, it wouldn’t affect me. However, from another side I’m an active internet user and as this reform influence what will be visible on the web it for sure influence me.
No, I will not influence this decision in any way. Actually I like it, that in web assets of people will be more protected that now. For sure it will change things to which we already addicted. But still it’s looks like a step to the right direction and I believe that at some point haters of this changes also will be able to understand benefit of a clean content.

Mykhailo Reznyk said…
I’ve heard about Article 13. In my opinion, there are 2 most plausible reasons behind it. First – this is just a formal excuse for restrictions of a content making. Under the guise of protecting rights of content creators, they actually block any possibility for millions of people to upload any content, unless they have proof that absolutely every sound, visual or text is original and belongs to them. Applying that logic will mean that only big companies or famous people will have an opportunity to upload anything, since creation of high-quality content requires a lot of time and money. But as was mentioned in the video above, what about hundreds of educational channels or just simple entertainment channels? How are they supposed to adapt to these new rules? In one way or another they use someone else's content. Something similar already happened in USA a year ago, when government banned net neutrality. It means that now net traffic of big companies is prioritized, putting individuals at disadvantage. With such rules in Europe and USA huge corporations gain more and more advantage, while independent content creators have to struggle to be competitive.
Second explanation – this is just plain and simple short-sightedness. Introducing such a law without a clear specification will lead to some unintended consequences. It always surprises me, how we are able to create complex programs and mechanisms but unable to clearly define laws by which society lives.
In any case I think that Article 13 will cause even more problems rather than solve them.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marcin Górski said…
No, I have never heard about these EUCD reforms before because politics is not something what interests me but I will follow some news about that because it involve my daily life.
Hmmm, when I was younger I was uploading content to the Internet everyday. I mean photos, short videos on snapchat and statuses on my private Facebook account. I'm trying to limit it currently. I hope that these laws won't affect me directly.
It's hard to say but when situation would be serious I would like to take part in special protests to show my dissatisfaction. Internet is for everyone and that's why we should to take care of it. I don't like people who are want everything without their actions.
It's really sad that these lawmakers seem to not be able to comprehend that, as dramatic as it may sound, this will change humanity/culture. We've adapted to this new world and now they decide "Nah, you've got too much freedom here, so we don't like it" and are stepping on necks just to get "control" over something that literally can't or shouldn't be controlled, not to the extent they're planning to at least. Bottom line is, lawmakers hate not having control but are too ignorant/power hungry to know when to stop forcing it. I feel there is a grey area about human rights/freedom of expression (considering how new our understanding of the internet even is, despite its impact on society and how much less of an understanding these lawmakers have of it) that could (hopefully) counter Article 13. But whether or not those with the power to make the change will do so, is another thing entirely...
I've been hearing about this regulations for the last few month, but I didn't know what they are about. I just knew that it was something about copyrighting.
I've never uploaded anything on youtube, there was no need.
While I was watching this videos I wasn't concerned much about those regularizations until I noticed that it can affect tutorial videos. I use youtube mostly as information source and I can't imagine that about 50% of all content will disappear.
I'm against that restrictions. I guess I should be a bit loyal because just take a look at thousands of blogers for whom youtube is their main source of income? Millions of users watching youtube just because of those. I'm not an EU citizen but I will definitely take some actins.
Honestly, I have never heard about these EUCD reforms before. But generally I know that quite a lot of laws were created recently that directly influence on the Internet and how we use it.
Of course, occasionally I upload "content" to the Internet like photos, music and funny/quaint videos but mostly spend time on browsing above mentioned "content". I am not permanent "content-creator" so I don't think those laws will affect me personally, but maybe I don't take it seriously. I hope I will not suffer as a viewer.
I have just read more about this. I think, these reforms are dumb. The law banning "Internet memes" was passed already in September and it's sad. This is an unprecedented step towards transforming the Internet from an open platform for sharing, communicating and innovation into a tool for automated monitoring and control of users. I will try as much as I can to spread awareness about those horrible reforms.
I have never heard about that reforms before. But it seems that I have to learn more about them.
I usually just browse things and watch videos. A few years ago I uploaded few things. I think that proposed laws won’t affect me, because I do not upload anything now. I don’t use anything that can break the copyright.
I think that EU wants to control the internet. It won’t be totally possible, but to be honest, for people who upload a lot of videos or photos will be harder to make something, that won’t break the rules.
In my opinion this is quite stupid so I would like to stop it.
Yes, I have heard about EUCD reforms before watching these films. I follow the latest news from the world.

Yes, I am uploading content to the Internet. Yes, I believe that the proposed law will have impact for me personally, because a lot of contents will be banned.

Personally, I think it is a very bad idea. As an EU citizen, I will try to stop this by participating in all kinds of protests and by spreading awareness by sharing this information with my friends. In my opinion, the fight for copyrights is very right, but the new EU legislation introduces censorship and is too rigorous, which will cause servers to move outside the EU border and further operation of portals, so they will also be ineffective.
Hi. Earlier I was not informed of the provided information. I do not load content into various resources. Sometimes I watch videos in YouTube. I think that laws on me do not povlit. At least, I do not plan to be engaged in it, in the near future.
But I think that access to receive something is necessary. Something defines satisfaction of people who watch this video record. Of course, we will find as well as the opponent of this thought, and the one who will support.
s18716 said…
Question 1. Were you familiar with the ECBP reforms before watching these videos? If so, how did you hear about it?
No, I was not.

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?
I consider myself a passive Internet user more, I browse content on websites more, I don’t download anything. So in the age of the Internet, we can at any time re-visit the content that interests us without downloading it.

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and implementation of these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop him by taking some kind of action or spreading awareness?
I am not a citizen of the EU. Unfortunately, my opinion will not affect these reforms in any way.
1. I wasn't familiar with these changes. This video was quite educative for me.

2. I don't upload content myself but still I think that those laws would affect me. The content that I am watching/reading in the internet could change significantly because of new EU laws.

3. It's hard to tell. On one hand I like opportunities that internet gives to creators. On the other hand people shouldn't be allowed to use whatever they want in their creations without getting permissions from authors. After all every artist wants to get paid for his work. It is very hard to make everyone happy.
You said that you think this law won't affect users outside of EU but I must disagree with that. In my opinion, it will affect creators outside of EU (their content might have far less smaller audience) and users (they will see less content from EU creators).
I agree with you. That lack of precision is exactly the source of controversy and it's what YouTube is fighting against, among other things.
I think if you only upload photos you made, you're safe. ;) I agree with the part that this might halt cultural and technological progress.
Marcin Zając said…
Question 1. Were you familiar with EUCD reforms before watching these videos? If so, where did you learn about it?

Yes, I'm familiar with this reforms from Youtube.

Question 2. Do you upload content to the Internet or just browse it? Do you think the proposed laws will affect you personally?

I only browse the web, but I think it affects all people which use Internet (including myself).

Question 3. What do you think about the idea and execution behind these reforms? As an EU citizen, will you try to stop it by taking some action or spreading awareness?

I think everyone who it is against should say that. In my opinion it's very bad that such law restrictions are made by people who mostly not using the internet at all.
Ha, you've confirmed the lawyer stereotype who tells everyone (twice) they're a lawyer before anyone even asks. ;)

Only subjects who process personal data (so, companies) were worried about GDPR. Some companies were even happy that it exists and applies the same privacy rules also for users outside of EU. End users, as a general population, were not worried. You mentioned there were no changes after GDPR — well I can assure you you're wrong. Each and every service who has users from EU now has the same required data privacy standard. That's a lot.

GDPR was very specific about its requirements and enforced limitations. EUCD, on the other hand, is very vague. That's what mostly bothering people. I read the whole article twice and I see a very large possibility for abuse by copyright owners. This regulation, in my opinion, is clearly one-sided.

As a person, not a layer, I understand you will benefit from the vagueness of EUCD. The more unclear it is, the more money you'll basically make because the laws will be open for interpretation and there will be a lot of lawsuits. I don't blame you, I just don't think you're 100% objective about this.
I was surprised to see a comment that fully supports EUCD here. I respect your opinion.
Cool! As far as I know, there were protests in Belgium and some other capital cities, but there was none in Warsaw.
Yeah, the implications of this law might be catastrophic for not only music videos, but any content that uses another content. Basically, bye-bye tutorials, bye-bye video essays, bye-bye reviews. That's scary.
You weren't the only one who was unfamiliar with EUCD. One of the reasons I made this blog post is to raise awareness, I'm glad I did it successfully. :)
I agree. A good law must protect both sides — copyright owners and users. It should also include conditions of fair use. The current form of EUCD does neither of those.
I'm glad I choose a good video. You're correct — making everyone 100% happy is just not possible. I just think Article 13 could have been more precise about what constitutes the copyright infringement and move the financial responsibility from the operator to the abuser.
Yeah, I have seen an interview with a politician who voted in favor of Article 13. It turned out he was completely unaware what's inside and what we voted for. That was pathetic.

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