How to Break YouTube (Copyright Claim your own video)
ymfahCited 4× on HN, 2020–2022
tutorial · intermediate · 2020–2022 on HN
A guide to using YouTube's Content ID by claiming your own videos through a distributor, so the claims share revenue with the creator and monetize re-uploads. It credits another creator who pioneered the method.
HN cites it as an example of how easily the Content ID system can be gamed, mostly in copyright-claim discussions.
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4 comments from Hacker News
The self-claiming thing has at least been done already (through the use of online music labels): < link > and < ▶ this video > YouTube doesn't let just anyone make ContentID claims and start trolling. You do need to jump through a few hoops to get an air of legitimacy first.
The situation is now so silly that some people are circumventing the system by copyright claiming their own videos: ▶ this video This enable them to at least get some of the revenue of their video (by sharing with other (often bogus) claimants), and to monetize re-uploads (something normally available only to big channels). Why Google doesn't do anything about this mess is beyond me.
It's not just that it's easy, but that the theft is legal and profitable. You don't even need to be rich to do this, you just need stuff you can claim; see How to Break YouTube (Copyright Claim your own video). ▶ this video
There is actually something creators can do about it. If you add your own copyrighted song to ContentID and add the song to your video, you can copyright claim your own video and prevent others from abusing ContentID to earn money on it. ▶ this video