Monster Beverage Corporation recently had a verdict handed down against them in trial for the amount of $1.7 million, which was award to the Beastie Boys for copyright infringement of the band’s music. Monster’s said in its defense that, even though they had infringed on the band’s copyrights, it had not done so intentionally because an employee of the company had mistakenly believed that it had permission to use the Beastie Boys’ music for their YouTube video.
Uploading videos on websites like YouTube are a very common practice by both individuals and companies to get additional exposure and attention beyond TV, magazine, radio and websites. However, if you downloading and using someone else’s videos, pictures, music and/or other forms of artwork which you don’t have expressed consent to use, you could very well be infringing on their protected copyrighted materials. Be aware that this could lead you into a lawsuit similar that Monster Beverage Corporation found itself in with the Beastie Boys. So, unless you are only posting your own photos, music or other forms of work, the unintentional use of a copyrighted material could possibly get you into copyright infringement trouble. If you want to use some form of media or art, it is extremely important to make sure that it is not copyright protected, that you get the proper written authorization to use it, and/or contact a copyright attorney to assist you with obtaining permission and the proper use of other’s pictures, music and/or videos.
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