UK Trying To Censor Parody Video About The 2012 Olympics
from the really-now? dept
We’ve discussed for many years how the Olympics has a ridiculously overaggressive approach to attacking free speech for those who criticize or mention aspects of the Olympics without permission. In most locations that host the Olympics, special extraordinary laws get passed against specific expressions around the Olympics that go beyond ordinary restrictions on speech. London, it seems, has been particularly willing to bend over backwards to appease the International Olympic Committee.
Take, for example, this story of a simple parody video about the 2012 Olympics that has been taken down over claims it violates the Olympics’ IP rights. The video is clearly a parody, making use of the 2012 Olympics’ creepy mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, to show them in what appears to be a London riot (using some computer graphics work). The original video got about 90,000 views before being taken down. As the link above notes, there is no right to parody in the UK, so while it may be legal to have the video taken down, it’s still ridiculous. The site linked above, LiberalConspiracy.org, insists that it’ll keep posting the video if it gets taken down. But, as of the time I write this, I’m embedding the working version of the video, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s gone before too long.
Filed Under: 2012, free speech, london, mandeville, olympics, parody, video, wenlock
Comments on “UK Trying To Censor Parody Video About The 2012 Olympics”
Guess they learned a few tricks from China in 2008 🙂
The bigger question here is What The Hell are those mascots supposed to be?!? It almost makes me want to cry out for Odysseus to come save London from the monsters.
when the UK has got pricks like Cameron in charge of government, and Vaizey in charge of internet related stuff, what the hell do you expect? the only reason the UK got the Olympics this time around was because no other country could afford it (same as the UK) or really wanted it, given that the attendance will be limited to those who can afford it as well (same as the UK). it’s gonna be an even bigger White Elephant than usual. wonder what they will say when the cost versus income figures are released and what they will do with the stadium afterwards? be like the Millennium Dome, complete waste!
"Olympics' IP rights"
The Olympians still have rights to the IP? Why weren’t we told sooner?
Hooray! Greece is saved!
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Apparently, they”re slag from the last girder of the London Olympic Stadium. Dont ask me why, that’s the official origin story.
By the way, just wondering about this; there’s something I don’t understand in this internet age: “there is no right to parody in the UK”, so what prevents you from sending it to some friend in, say, the US where they do have that right, and ask him to upload it to, say, youtube.com. What can they do about it then? Since the uploader, domain and servers are all US based, UK law simply does not apply anymore, right? Or is that not possible?
Not feeling the parody here. Seems mostly like a mean spirited dig by the anti-Olympic games crowd. Parody would get a laugh or something, this is just insulting.
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And watching your government systematically dismantle your rights in order to have the opportunity to host a mega sporting event that brings in a lot of money is not insulting? Parody doesn’t need to be funny, especially if it is sending a message.
Olympic Costs
Aparrently the Nine Network Australia paid $80,000,000 for the right to broadcast the 2012 Olympics in Australia. A few more like that should offset the cost of building the stadium.
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Well, even if they weren’t part of the “anti-olympic games crowd”, I’m most certain that they are now.
If the goal of the Olympic Committee (or whoever holds the IP) was to ensure that people keep hating them, then they have succeeded brilliantly.
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Perhaps “satire” is the word we’re looking for here. But I’m not a good barometer. I thought it hilarious.
If they send a DMCA takedown - sue
Would be a great case to try and get the DMCA invalidated
If the video is taken down then sue claiming your first amendment rights were violated. To me the DMCA is clearly unconstitutional, I’m surprised I haven’t heard of any court cases on it
Why are Olympic mascots always so creepy? Considering the amount of money spent on everything you’d think they could hire some kick ass design work.
Olympic Costs
That money goes to the IOC and not the host nation…
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And watching your government systematically dismantle your rights in order to have the opportunity to host a mega sporting event that brings in a lot of money to the IOC and sponsors but not the host nation, except maybe some Conservative campaign contributors is not insulting? Parody doesn’t need to be funny, especially if it is sending a message.
FTFY
If they send a DMCA takedown - sue
Wrong Country, wrong laws
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There is this funny thing that happens with parodies. That is that they tend to make some people really mad while making others laugh. I’m willing to bet a lot of people over the years have felt upset and insulted by Weird Al.
Olympics
I don’t think anyone takes the Olympics seriously anymore. I can’t even remember the last time I watched them.
If the Spartans were alive today, they would no doubt put the entire Olympic Council to the spear.
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Nah, we’re a polopice state all our own in the World of London. Plus, those shitheel at the Met run the show, so…comedy gold.
it’s a stupid video and the olympic committee has made it more popular with their stupid attempts at censorship.
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Very true, since the UK has the international clout to sue it’s way out of a paper bag and not a lot more these days. On the other hand, the other way round where US law doesn’t apply in the UK is seems extradition and a criminal trial is called for.
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Well they had a good start with the olympic logo… ahem!
Streisand effect
Oh I love Streisand effects!!!! I’m gonna go share this on FACEBOOK!!! 😀
Actually parody isn't legal of the Olympics
I know USA and other countries had to alter their copyright laws before the Olympics could be held in their country, I wouldn’t be surprised if this take-down _IS_ legal in the UK right now.
I thought Mike had covered this before….
Actually parody isn't legal of the Olympics
It is legal, and he did point it out. There is now right to parody in the UK
Actually parody isn't legal of the Olympics
it is illegal*** in the UK. oops 😛
Actually parody isn't legal of the Olympics
oh wait… ummm… actually i don’t know if it is illegal per se to parody in the UK just that you have no right to do it i guess…?
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Well that’s like you’re opinion man, and you’re obviously easily insulted.
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Creepy. Uh, guys, “1984” was supposed to be a warning, not a blueprint.
Those mascots kinda look like ReBoot characters. You know, the blocky ones with one eye?
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whoa your right! o.0
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So the mascots for the London Olympics are slag … how appropriate.
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Freedom of Expression, Article 19, born 1948, buried in the rain. Ignored. Is that what happens to them? No time for speech? Only our censors leave roses. Silent rights ending silently. LiberalConspiracy understood. Humans are litigious in nature. No matter how much you try to dress it up, to disguise it. LiberalConspiracy saw society’s true face. Chose to be a parody of it, a joke. I heard a joke once. Webmaster goes to analyst, says he’s depressed. The DMCA seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world. Analyst says “Treatment is simple. The funny lolcat site, YouTube, is in the internets. Go see it. That should pick you up”. Man bursts into tears. “But doctor”, he says, “I am the Webmaster of YouTube.” Good joke. Everybody laughs. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.
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i think it desrcibes the bitish government perectly….and the american government….and the french….
This video could have easily been legal
All Mothers Best Child had to do was find out who was responsible for the creation of everything they used in their vid, credit accordingly, then they could have claimed ‘Fair Dealing for the purposes of criticism and review’, making the vid legally untouchable. Further details can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/30
This video could have easily been legal
All Mothers Best Child had to do was find out who was responsible for the creation of everything they used in their vid, credit accordingly, then they could have claimed ‘Fair Dealing for the purposes of criticism and review’, making the vid legally untouchable. Further details can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/30