YouTube Users Not Thrilled With New Copyright School

Google (and YouTube before it was bought) has taken a variety of steps over the years to educate its users on copyright issues and discipline them when the message doesn’t get through.

The latest of those is being called Copyright School; it’s a combination video and quiz that YouTube will force offenders to watch and pass before they’ll be allowed to upload more content.

How’s the video going over so far with YouTube users? Like a lead balloon. As of this moment, “dislikes” are outnumbering “likes” by almost 4-to-1.

There’s no way to tell if they’re rejecting the entire notion of Copyright School, or just the childish and silly video that YouTube made to explain it. “Russell” and “Lumpy”? “Happy Tree Friends”? Please. Actually, they’re probably rejecting both. (YouTube wisely turned off comments on that video; the Internet might’ve imploded if they hadn’t.)

YouTube is also changing its copyright enforcement policies a bit, and this part should go over better with the membership: YouTube’s “three strikes” policy is getting a little softer.

…today we’ll begin removing copyright strikes from user’s accounts in certain limited circumstances, contingent upon the successful completion of YouTube Copyright School, as well as a solid demonstrated record of good behavior over time. Expiration of strikes is not guaranteed, and as always, YouTube may terminate an account at any time for violating our Terms of Service.

YouTube has also updated its copyright help center.