Tubefilter News

Ripped video content online is as old as the technology of streaming video itself. Some would argue it’s what really helped push online video into mainstream. But now that business models are emerging where creators—and the sites that host their content —are making money, it’s more important than ever for content owners to monitor the web for stolen versions and take direct action to get them removed.

Tim Street, creator of the popular “how-to” web series French Maid TV, just recently found that some of the videos (see above) from his series—like the “How to Register a Domain Name” episode—had been ripped, with new title cards added, and then uploaded to ad-supported MTV/Viacom-owned Spike.com without his permission. The offender, a site called TrickLife.com, which claims to be the “#1 How-To Video Site,” added animated title cards and stripped away any references to French Maid TV’s sponsor of the video, GoDaddy.

Through a WHOIS lookup, we found that the TrickLife.com domain is registered to a company in the British Virgin Islands called Greencove Services Ltd., though the hosting of the site is done by Chicago-based ISP Reflected Networks, outlines its non-tolerance for copyright infringement on its servers in its privacy policy. TrickLife also has a Facebook group, which is run by Kyle Waring, a self-described “entertainment publisher for a network of 170 websites,” who’s firm, New York-based Internet Assets Inc. owns the site along several others like online games site Bored.com.

We talked to Waring on the phone, who said that it’s challenging managing 170 sites with a limited staff, many of which have user-submitted content. “We’re cracking down on accepting user submissions,” Waring said, noting that they recently laid off a moderator for TrickLife.com that was responsible for monitoring content submissions for copyright compliance. “We do have a legal department that will handle all DMCA requests,” he added. In terms of revenue, Waring noted that the site “doesn’t really generate a lot of money” and says they are planning on closing down TrickLife in the near future.

For Street, he’s seen his video content reposted before, and while he has some tolerance for embedding his videos on other sites, said that this ripping crossed the line. “I understand that we are all trying to figure out how to make money with online videos but to scrape someone’s content, stick it in your own player and then throw advertising on it is pretty bad,” he said. “I’ve had this happen a few times before and I’ve asked that the perps take down my videos and they have.”

“Most video sharing sites have embeds that you can grab and stick on your site,” added Street. “That’s the way you should be sharing video that has a copyright. Maybe you could even throw in a link as well. Google alerts are a great, free way to see who’s posting your content. Then you can go see if they are using video embeds that you have approved or if they have stolen your content and not giving you any link love.”

See the original video below, which runs pre-roll ads through Blip.tv:
Tim Street, creator of the popular “how-to” web series French Maid TV, just recently found that some of the videos (see above) from his series—”How to Register a Domain Name”—had been ripped, with new title cards added, and then uploaded to ad-supported MTV/Viacom-owned Spike.com without his permission. The offender, a site call TrickLife.com, which claims to be the “#1 How-To Video Site,” added animated title cards and stripped away any references to French Maid TV’s sponsor of the video, GoDaddy.

Through a WHOIS lookup, we found that the TrickLife.com domain is registered to a company in the British Virgin Islands called Greencove Services Ltd., though the hosting of the site is done by Chicago-based ISP Reflected Networks, outlines its non-tolerance for copyright infringement on its servers in its privacy policy. TrickLife also has a Facebook group, which is run by Kyle Waring, a self-described “entertainment publisher for a network of 170 websites,” who’s firm, New York-based Internet Assets Inc. owns the site along several others like online games site Bored.com.

We talked to Waring on the phone, who said that it’s challenging managing 170 sites with a limited staff, many of which have user-submitted content. “We’re cracking down on accepting user submissions,” Waring said, noting that they recently laid off a moderator for TrickLife.com that was responsible for monitoring content submissions for copyright compliance. “We do have a legal department that will handle all DMCA requests,” he added. In terms of revenue, Waring noted that the site “doesn’t really generate a lot of money” and says they are closing down TrickLife.

For Street, he’s seen his video content reposted before, and he has some tolerance for it, but noted that this ripping crossed the line. “I understand that we are all trying to figure out how to make money with online videos but to scrape someone’s content, stick it in your own player and then throw advertising on it is pretty bad,” he said. “I’ve had this happen a few times before and I’ve asked that the perps take down my videos and they have.”

“Most video sharing sites have embeds that you can grab and stick on your site,” added Street. “That’s the way you should be sharing video that has a copyright. Maybe you could even throw in a link as well. Google alerts are a great, free way to see who’s posting your content. Then you can go see if they are using video embeds that you have approved or if they have stolen your content and not giving you any link love.”

See the original video below, which runs pre-roll ads through Blip.tv:
Tim Street, creator of the popular “how-to” web series French Maid TV, just recently found that some of the videos (see above) from his series—”How to Register a Domain Name”—had been ripped, with new title cards added, and then uploaded to ad-supported MTV/Viacom-owned Spike.com without his permission. The offender, a site call TrickLife.com, which claims to be the “#1 How-To Video Site,” added animated title cards and stripped away any references to French Maid TV’s sponsor of the video, GoDaddy.

Through a WHOIS lookup, we found that the TrickLife.com domain is registered to a company in the British Virgin Islands called Greencove Services Ltd., though the hosting of the site is done by Chicago-based ISP Reflected Networks, outlines its non-tolerance for copyright infringement on its servers in its privacy policy. TrickLife also has a Facebook group, which is run by Kyle Waring, a self-described “entertainment publisher for a network of 170 websites,” who’s firm, New York-based Internet Assets Inc. owns the site along several others like online games site Bored.com.

We talked to Waring on the phone, who said that it’s challenging managing 170 sites with a limited staff, many of which have user-submitted content. “We’re cracking down on accepting user submissions,” Waring said, noting that they recently laid off a moderator for TrickLife.com that was responsible for monitoring content submissions for copyright compliance. “We do have a legal department that will handle all DMCA requests,” he added. In terms of revenue, Waring noted that the site “doesn’t really generate a lot of money” and says they are closing down TrickLife.
Tim Street, creator of the popular “how-to” web series French Maid TV, just recently found that some of the videos (see above) from his series had been ripped, with new title cards added, and then uploaded to ad-supported MTV/Viacom-owned Spike.com without his permission. The offender, a site call TrickLife.com, which claims to be the “#1 How-To Video Site,” added animated title cards and stripped away any references to French Maid TV’s sponsor of the video, GoDaddy. Through a WHOIS lookup, we found that TrickLife.com domain is registered to a company in the British Virgin Islands called Greencove Services Ltd., though the hosting of the site is done by Chicago-based ISP Reflected Networks, outlines its non-tolerance for copyright infringement on its servers in its privacy policy. TrickLife also has a Facebook group, which is run by Kyle Waring, a self-described “entertainment publisher for a network of 170 websites,” who’s firm, New York-based Internet Assets Inc. owns the site along several others like online games site Bored.com.

We talked to Waring, who said that it’s challenging managing 170 sites with a limited staff, many of which have user-submitted content. “We’re cracking down on accepting user submissions,” Waring said, noting that they recently laid off a moderator for TrickLife.com that was responsible for monitoring content submissions for copyright compliance. “We do have a legal department that will handle all DMCA requests,” he added. In terms of revenue, Waring noted that the site isn’t making that much money and says they are closing down TrickLife.

Web video creator (and evangelist) Tim Street launched his first eBook today, “10 Things You Should Do Before You Upload Your Online Video,” giving an easy-to-digest, and free, checklist of things to do before clicking the upload button. The veteran web series producer recently rolled out his latest French Maid TV episode with sponsor Dimdim on board and knows a thing or two about putting out web series and viral videos.

The 10 tips come with specific examples and solid commentary explaining what he’s talking about. Otherwise tip #2, “Create Key Art That Sells” could mean talking to this guy. And of course we’re partial to tip #6, which talks about building relationships with sites that cover web series. (hint, hint) Couldn’t have said it better:

DON’T BE A “SEAGULL” – A seagull is someone who shows up, poops and leaves. For those of you who didn’t understand that, it means don’t Tweet or make a comment on someone else’s blog about how great your show is. Stop, listen to the conversation that’s going on, and then keep that conversation going by adding something valuable to it that isn’t about you. Don’t try and redirect it.

Labor Day weekend is here. Joy! (Now you know why we’ve been wearing our whites all week.) Despite its very American traditions—BBQs, boating, parades and football season kickoffs, this holiday is one we have the Canadians to thank. Yep, it was a printer’s strike in Toronto back in 1872 that started this whole Labor-loving end-of-summer trend. So go for it, hug a Canadian this weekend!

Web series news was steady this week, though a few places held off major show releases until after the Holiday. So count on Tuesday being full of flurry of new goodies.

The week started with news that MSN is wising up the the social internet, and finally is allowing open embedding of the new season of The Guild, which debuted on the network this week. Tech blogger Shira Lazar kicked off the new Stylit.TV giveaway web series TechStyle with plenty of geek gear from MacWorld. And Asthon Kutcher’s inside the production company web series, KataylstHQ, bowed its second season this week, releasing exclusively on Facebook via the Slide FunSpace app.

There are few unquestionable truisms of the internet marketing, but it’s safe to say that online, men are suckers for scantily clad women. Domain registrar GoDaddy essentially built its brand around that axiom. And for the past two years, ‘infotaining’ how-to web series French Maid TV has been garnering millions of views and thousands of dollars in sponsor revenue.

The latest tantalizing episode (above) was released today, with the costumed maids instructing viewers “How To Make Money with Webinars.” The whole six-minute episode is an exclusive sponsorship by webinar service Dimdim, with the online conferencing product the central plot point as the maids actually set up their own ticketed webinar, an apt choice, “How to Buy Lingerie.”

Despite its bawdy premise, the male-leaning series has attracted a handful of known sponsors over its run with custom episodes built around a problem usually solved by the companies’ products—”How To Find Music You Like” (iLike), “How To Register a Domain” (GoDaddy), “How To Barter Online” (BarterBee.com).

French Maid TV creator Tim Street is a staple on the web video scene, often seen on panels or events espousing his battle tested lessons to eager newcomers or pressing caged execs to cut through the PR doublespeak. His candid videoblogging shoots can quite literally pop out of his pocket in the form of a Flip camera that refreshingly catches his guests off guard.