NFL asks Google to reinstate Chrysler's "Halftime in America" ad
Just got word from an NFL spokesman that the NFL did not ask Google/Youtube to take down Chrysler's popular "Halftime in America" commercial, featuring Clint Eastwood.
From NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy moments ago, via email to me: "The NFL did not file a copyright complaint about this ad with Google. We have asked Google to reinstate the ad immediately. Google is looking into why the ad was removed."
I reported early this morning that the video was blocked on Chrysler's Youtube page, with a notification to viewers that the NFL had filed a copyright claim.
Indeed, the video is now live on Chrysler's Youtube page. See below:
So what happened? Chatter around the web suggests that Youtube may have a very finicky automatic copyright detection filter that went a little over-aggressive today. But I'm waiting to see the official explanation from Google/Youtube.
Update, 4:30 pm:A YouTube spokesperson emailed me to say the following:
YouTube expeditiously removes content when it receives a copyright notification from copyright owners, or from third party agencies operating on their behalf. We reinstate content when we receive a retraction from the party who originally submitted the notification. The video has been reinstated.
I replied to the spokesperson:
The NFL says they never filed a complaint about the video -- even though the video screen said there was a complaint from NFL Properties LLC. Was it taken down due to some type of auto filtering technology that YouTube uses?
Your statement doesn't really say what happened in this case. Thanks.
The YouTube spokesperson's response:
No, a video comes down when we receive a copyright complaint about a specific video from the copyright holder, or from the third party agency that they designate to make such complaints on their behalf.
Then I ask back:
So did the NFL's third party agency make the complaint? Because the NFL itself is telling me they didn't complain.
Are you confused yet? Cuz I am. How did YouTube knock off this Chrysler video for several hours today?
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Comments
It's YouTube... with a capital "T."
Posted by: John | February 6, 2012 2:21 PM
Best part of this ad is that it's Clint Eastwood talking about tough times in America. The toughest time in the Carmel CA recently was the great fois gras shortage of 2005. Desperate times indeed.
Posted by: Mike | February 6, 2012 4:56 PM
That's horribly confusing! Were they saying a third-party as in "Chrystler" or a third party representing the NFL? Or did someone from Youtube have a sudden nervous feeling and wanted to be safer than sorry? - interesting nonetheless.
Posted by: Gabe Killian | February 6, 2012 8:29 PM