YouTube has introduced a mechanism called '
Content ID ' that automatically identifies copyrighted content based on a database of audio and video files sent by copyright holders. YouTuber Albino has accused Content ID of halting monetization of his video because the sound of a washing machine chiming during his live broadcast was deemed a copyright violation.
— ALBINO ?????????? (@AlbinoVEVO) May 27, 2024Hi @TeamYouTube
A guy recorded his washing machine and used it to claim monetization on my video, this is the most egregious example of the MANY outright fraudulent content ID claims I've gotten over the years
are you guys doing anything to prevent this? It's completely… pic.twitter.com/hnMkiH4UpK
Washing machine chime scandal shows how absurd YouTube copyright abuse can get | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/washing-machine-chime-scandal-shows-how-absurd-youtube-copyright-abuse-can-get/
During the broadcast, Albino mentioned the 'chime sound that a washing machine makes when the wash is finished' and commented while listening to chime sounds from various manufacturers. You can see that part at exactly 51 minutes in the broadcast archive below.
Animal Well - Stream 7, Fallout New Vegas - Stream 6 - YouTube
One problem that has come up is the chime on Samsung washing machines, which plays the melody of the fourth movement of Franz Schubert's Piano Quintet , commonly known as 'The Trout,' when the washing cycle is finished.
However, this chime sound was uploaded to YouTube by a user named Audigo under the title 'Done.' As a result, the Samsung chime sound was caught by Content ID, and monetization of the video was suspended.
Of course, the original song by Schubert was composed in 1817 and died in 1828, so it is in the public domain. In addition, the sound in the video appears to be a direct recording of the chime sound built into a Samsung device, so it is highly unlikely that the user Audigo is the legitimate owner.
'Someone recorded their washing machine and uploaded it to YouTube using Content ID, and now I'm getting a copyright claim. My money's going down the toilet and to this motherf*cker,' Albino said.
In response to Albino's criticism of X, YouTube's official account responded with a standard response: 'We understand how important this is to you. Looking at your video, it appears that you recently filed a counter-notice. When you counter a Content ID claim, the person who claimed your video will receive a notice and will have 30 days to respond.'
We understand how important it is for you. From your vid, it looks like you've recently submitted a dispute. When you dispute a Content ID claim, the person who claimed your video (the claimant) is notified & they have 30 days to respond: https://t.co/gYnSOw4dm7 (1/2)
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) May 27, 2024
In response, Albino posted an angry comment, saying, 'It would be a shame if the other party simply clicked 'deny the appeal', took all of their advertising revenue, and put them at risk of having their channel suspended for appealing.'
— ALBINO ?????????? (@AlbinoVEVO) May 27, 2024'just wait for the person blatantly stealing copyrighted material to respond' ah okay yes i'm sure they did this in good faith and will make the correct call
though it would be a shame if they simply clicked 'reject dispute', took all the ad revenue money and forced me to risk… https://t.co/83Be4Q8ulM pic.twitter.com/16cXGyt9mm
YouTube subsequently reported that 'after reviewing the matter, we believe the claim was invalid and the monetization suspension has been lifted.'
— ALBINO ?????????? (@AlbinoVEVO) May 27, 2024'just wait for the person blatantly stealing copyrighted material to respond' ah okay yes i'm sure they did this in good faith and will make the correct call
though it would be a shame if they simply clicked 'reject dispute', took all the ad revenue money and forced me to risk… https://t.co/83Be4Q8ulM pic.twitter.com/16cXGyt9mm
IT news site Ars Technica criticized YouTube's Content ID system, saying it has barely changed for years and continues to be a disadvantage to creators. YouTube researcher and Electronic Frontier Foundation policy director Catherine Trendacosta said, 'Content ID is getting worse, it's intentionally opaque, and it's a system that's very difficult for creators to control. I don't know any YouTube creators who are happy with how Content ID works.'
In addition, when Ars Technica asked YouTube for comment on the complaints about Content ID, the only response they received was 'there is no perfect system,' but no specific solution was provided.
