Anyone else ever had their video copied?

Resk · Post by **Resk** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:23 am

I'm going to have to agree with Wong. I mean, perhaps I'm not as well informed on the subject (since I'm not a fan of Anime lol), but I've seen the same thing in AMVs using clips from video games, and in my opinion, it's a lot easier to see the problem people in this thread have presented because of the limited clips.

I'll give you an example from my own experience. Recently, I finished a video to 'Breakaway' by Kelly Clarkson to FFIX. I found out that someone on a-m-v.org also did the same song and same footage for a video, and released it before mine. The song talks about breaking away into new experiences, probably the most noticable theme in the entire song, so obviously the video would reflect that. And with FFIX, there are only so many clips you can use to show Garnet breaking out of her life.

Now, I watched this person's video, and I could tell right away the same idea was there, the same theme, even the same clip choices sometimes. The simple fact is that this is unavoidable. As a few have already pointed out, there are always going to be the most obvious themes and ways to portray those themes for a particular song. If someone comes along either after or even before you, and says that you've copied them, then unless you did copy them, you have all the proof you need to counter their argument:

1. Release Date
2. Clip Choice
3. Placement
4. Effects
5. The Creative Mind

1. Release Date: This is when the video was released. Even if your video was released first, the argument can still be made that you copied, by simply saying 'so you uploaded your video before mine. big deal, you still copied me.' The correct response to this is simply 'You think I copied? that's your opinion. I know I didn't copy, and if you don't believe that, then tough. People who argue [you copied my video] are only in it for the attention. (obviously, this is disregarding the cases where actual plagerism has occured.)
2. Clip Choice: This is about the use of the clips you used. Every clip has it's place, and it's own individual purpose, and the creator of a video should be able to point that out for every clip they've used. After all, there had to be a reason for selecting that clip in the first place if you were serious about making your video. If you can defend your work using the clips, then you're that much better off, no matter how much your opponent suggests otherwise. Chances are, he can't provide the information about his own video if he feels he can accuse plagerism in the first place. (this, again, disregards cases of real plagerism.)
3. Placement: Along with clip choice, you also have the reasons for WHERE in the video you placed the clip.
4. Effects: Effects, whether widely used or even just a little, always have their own personal touch. You know what you were trying to acomplish with a particular effect you used, and you know why you used it. How can someone say you copied them if you used an effect for a different purpose?
5. The Creative Mind: Whenever someone makes a video, it is their creation and their creation alone, even if it pulls in elements from other videos, or it appears to have been effected by viewing other videos first. The pleasure of an AMV comes out of having made the video, and to be able to show off your talent. The opinions and reviews of others are a nice bonus, but if you're serious about AMVs, then they shouldn't make a difference. Whether people bash your work, compliment it, or accuse it of plagerism, all that matters is your acomplishment of creating something that didn't exist before. Even if someone has made the same video with the same song with the same theme, every creator is different, and puts their own personal touch into the video (unless of course, real plagerism is in place.)

Now, this is my suggestion. Like Wong said, if you think your video may in any way be like someone elses video, then perhaps you shouldn't make it. If you decide to go ahead with an AMV, put something in it to truly make it your own; something that no one could possibly duplicate before you made your video (such as choosing an unpopular song, or doing something unique with it. For example, my FFIX 'Numb' video, I altered the song for my personal use. No one else has taken the song and added the exact same alterations as I did).

Now, the next time this happens, take the higher road and simply ignore him. If you know you didn't copy, then state that, and let others think what they want. So what if he gets more opinions or a higher rating. If you state that the video was copied, then it's up to the people who view it to either agree with you or not. The key thing about being an AMV creator (especially here at a-m-v.org) is being able to take criticism, and sometimes outright disrespect of your video. But if you can stand your ground, instead of going around searching for allies like you've done here, then you're the better person in the end. What's more important? Getting your voice heard, and possibly being branded a whiny tattle-tale who can't take some harsh criticism, or would you rather just let the stones fall where they may, and keep on making videos for your own enjoyment regardless of what someone may say. The choice is yours.

(*throughout ehre, I've referred to actual plagerism. I'm talking about using the footage clip for clip, effect for effect, same timing and everything; suggesting they just cut and paste from your video.)

Krahn Riosto · Post by **Krahn Riosto** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:30 am

Actually, my video idea hadn't been done before, in it's entirety. It focused on the demons that Gaara and Naruto carry, and focused on their most intense moments. That's about the size of it. There are very few naruto vids that don't include a crapload of sasuke or lee, so I'm not copying anyone, at least not in my example, and I've seen a bunch of naruot vids, and that was the first time I saw anyone use that many of the same clips. You don't believe me? go watch "The Demon Within" that I made, and "Lonliness" by Anquan.

Krahn Riosto · Post by **Krahn Riosto** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:33 am

Honestly. The only reason his video has a higher rating than mine (I sure as hell know it's not the content.

) Is because his has a nice bitrate. Mine is crap, since I was stuck with movie maker at the time, and it refused to let me save above about 500kbps.

bum · Post by **bum** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 10:25 am

Honestly, get [Expletive removed.] over it. Just because someone had the same idea as your for a video it dosnt mean that they copied you. And when your source is an anime thats used so much then its bount that similarieties will occur. Just be thankfull that your geting as much op's as you are.

Cyanna · Post by **Cyanna** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:49 pm

I actually gave both vids a look as you suggested and I see no problem with his content. Some of the clips are similar but the placement is different. And he used a number of shots that you did not have especially in the battle sequences near the end. Bitrate aside, I'd say that despite the theme, you two definately had different visions as to how this theme was to be done.

It wouldn't surprise me if the demon theme is actually more common beyond these two videos. The only thing here is that it's an example of same song/same series. There are probably others out there using different songs.

There is also chance that Anquan was already working on this video before you released yours without realizing it. You just beat him to the premiere date.

Pyle · Post by **Pyle** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:11 pm

Naruto + Linkin Park?
THAT LITTLE FUDGEFINGER TOOK MY IDEA!

KILL HIM! JUST FUCKING KILL HIM! KILL HIM!

inthesto · Post by **inthesto** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:13 pm

If somebody did rip one of my videos off, I'd just spend a lot of time laughing at the chump who wanted to rip off a shitty video.

Pyle · Post by **Pyle** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:43 pm

inthesto wrote:If somebody did rip one of my videos off, I'd just spend a lot of time laughing at the chump who wanted to rip off a shitty video.

x2

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 10:03 pm

I could try the same thing here then and say,

bum wrote:Honestly, get [Expletive removed.] over it. Just because someone had the same idea as your for a video it dosnt mean that they copied you. And when your source is an anime thats used so much then its bount that similarieties will occur. Just be thankfull that your geting as much op's as you are.

OMGOMG EVERYONE LOOK - BUM TOTALlY RIPED OF MY VIDEO.

***

It's almost absurd, really. Honestly, I wish and pray everyday that one of these times, someone takes my video ideas and makes their own videos to them that are better than mine. The day that happens will be the happiest day for me as an AMV editor, period.

Krahn Riosto · Post by **Krahn Riosto** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 2:21 am

Cyanna wrote:I actually gave both vids a look as you suggested and I see no problem with his content. Some of the clips are similar but the placement is different. And he used a number of shots that you did not have especially in the battle sequences near the end. Bitrate aside, I'd say that despite the theme, you two definately had different visions as to how this theme was to be done.

It wouldn't surprise me if the demon theme is actually more common beyond these two videos. The only thing here is that it's an example of same song/same series. There are probably others out there using different songs.

There is also chance that Anquan was already working on this video before you released yours without realizing it. You just beat him to the premiere date.

I beat him to it by at least two months, unless he got it in the first week of june and not later, in which case it was almost EXACTLY two months. Odds are he wasn't that far along in it (If at all) when mine came out.

I'll quit bitching about it, though. What's done is done and I can't help that.....oh well...