Severe Weather Video Stream Theft

[David Drummond]

Some of these local stations are getting brazen about just taking whatever they want. I recently had a local station, that competes with the station I chase for, take some of my older video, and use it in a story to promote their own storm "tracker". I mean really, how much does he suck you have to use the competitors chase video to hype him up? In the end, it should pay for a season or two of chasing though.

 

[Brett Adair]

Some of these local stations are getting brazen about just taking whatever they want. I recently had a local station, that competes with the station I chase for, take some of my older video, and use it in a story to promote their own storm "tracker". I mean really, how much does he suck you have to use the competitors chase video to hype him up? In the end, it should pay for a season or two of chasing though.

I hear ya, David. With the amount of video that they used from me.....I may never have to pay to chase again.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

David, I had to stop one of my new customers a couple of weeks ago from Iowa that was using my feed and then said they were going to use your's too. I had to put a stop to that quickly and remind them of my contract with them only allowed my video. They were advised to contact you directly for permission. I never did see anyone else's video come up, so they got the message.

 

[JIM SELLARS]

I've seen Brett's "stream" on Memphis stations and on 33/40...On 33/40...James refers to Brett directly and interacts with him...As an "Armchair Chaser" I appreciate the amount of chasers/spotters that "stream" on the various web sites and for the stations that they chase for...They provide a valuable resource for the NWS and Emergency managers....I feel there is a price to pay for the theft of the stream and information you guys provide....If I was Brett I would refer this to the stations that you do have an agreement with (like 33/40) and see if they can help resolve the problem...

 

[Steve Miller]

Some of these local stations are getting brazen about just taking whatever they want. I recently had a local station, that competes with the station I chase for, take some of my older video, and use it in a story to promote their own storm "tracker". I mean really, how much does he suck you have to use the competitors chase video to hype him up? In the end, it should pay for a season or two of chasing though.

At least yours is local, David. These stations bank on the idea that you aren't going to bother to spend the money to hire an attorney, do the documentation necessary, travel and all the other stuff involved in an out-of-state lawsuit all so you can go up against their legal team.
Maybe SS should put all the streams behind password or something...

 

[Brett Adair]

I've seen Brett's "stream" on Memphis stations and on 33/40...On 33/40...James refers to Brett directly and interacts with him...As an "Armchair Chaser" I appreciate the amount of chasers/spotters that "stream" on the various web sites and for the stations that they chase for...They provide a valuable resource for the NWS and Emergency managers....I feel there is a price to pay for the theft of the stream and information you guys provide....If I was Brett I would refer this to the stations that you do have an agreement with (like 33/40) and see if they can help resolve the problem...

Oh hell.....who were the Memphis stations and was it on 5/2? I haven't given anyone besides KAIT permission to have anything of mine on the air. I don't want to damage any relationships, but I would like to know who used it.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I'd reccomend you hire an IP attorney forthwith, Brett, and not try to do this on your own. You might consider Carolyn Wright (www.photoattorney.com); I've heard good things about her. Register your footage with the US Copyright office immediately -- this will cost $45. Since you are dealing with a network, you're looking at someone with deep pockets. A willful infringement like this will net you five figures in settlement, most likely, but not if you go about it incorrectly.

 

[Brett Adair]

I'd reccomend you hire an IP attorney forthwith, Brett, and not try to do this on your own. You might consider Carolyn Wright (www.photoattorney.com); I've heard good things about her. Register your footage with the US Copyright office immediately -- this will cost $45. Since you are dealing with a network, you're looking at someone with deep pockets. A willful infringement like this will net you five figures in settlement, most likely, but not if you go about it incorrectly.

I've been told this by more than one person. However, if they used over 30 minutes of my footage I hope they have very deep pockets.

 

[Kory Hartman]

If I may ask for a favor... please do not post any details about the "offending" station, ESPECIALLY call letters or names, in this public forum.

We could all be in legal "hot water" if one of us makes a libelous statement about said station, since this is now a private matter between Brett and the station. You can email Brett or I directly if you want more info, or have any other questions.

 

[J Kinkaid]

If anybody needs any help recording the tv stations stealing there feeds in other markets please shoot me a private message or catch me on aim or yahoo. I have access to local channels in 40 markets and can record it if you would like take legal action against the tv stations. Brett I saw your videos on $#$# Sunday morning .

 

[Brett Adair]

If anybody needs any help recording the tv stations stealing there feeds in other markets please shoot me a private message or catch me on aim or yahoo. I have access to local channels in 40 markets and can record it if you would like take legal action against the tv stations. Brett I saw your videos on Sunday morning .

Kill the call letters......LOL

I hate to be this way toward anyone, but if I have to do this to keep theft from occuring I will.

 

[Shane Adams]

I laughed out loud when I saw this thread. Didn't take long for live streaming video to get ripped off, like I knew would happen

As I keep saying like a broken record, the more technology advances chasing to appease the "instant gratification" genre, the more easily people are gonna steal your sh*t. Sorry, but I just can't sympathize. Doesn't matter if you're right and they're wrong, the media world is full of thieves, and anyone who thinks they're immune is quite naive IMO.

If you don't want your stuff ripped off, stop posting it online...and for goodness' sake, don't live stream it. Otherwise you get what you get.

 

[rdale]

If you don't want your stuff ripped off, stop posting it online...and for goodness' sake, don't live stream it. Otherwise you get what you get.

Clearly live streaming is a HOT commodity these days... To suggest that chasers should stop because someone steals -- makes as much sense as telling musicians to stop selling MP3's because they'll show up on Limewire. There are enough honest people out there to make it work still.

And with threads like this, the thieves get caught, and the chasing gas bills get covered eventually

 

[Shane Adams]

Clearly live streaming is a HOT commodity these days... To suggest that chasers should stop because someone steals -- makes as much sense as telling musicians to stop selling MP3's because they'll show up on Limewire. There are enough honest people out there to make it work still.

And with threads like this, the thieves get caught, and the chasing gas bills get covered eventually

IMO this is no different than parking your car in bad part of town, then whining when your car is stripped an hour later. Just because you're the victim doesn't mean you're justified in crying over what was obvious from the beginning. Is the point I'm making.

I'm not saying chasers should quit streaming video, the groupies love it. I'm just saying stop whining about it when you get jacked, cause it's inevitable.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

IMO this is no different than parking your car in bad part of town, then whining when your car is stripped an hour later. Just because you're the victim doesn't mean you're justified in crying over what was obvious from the beginning. Is the point I'm making.

I'm not saying chasers should quit streaming video, the groupies love it. I'm just saying stop whining about it when you get jacked, cause it's inevitable.

Shane, I don't think you fully grasp the legal options available to chasers who's images/videos get "jacked". I'm not talking about the 13 year olds on Youtube, of course -- but if you find your video feed being pirated by a national network or even a local affiliate, especially after you've explicitly instructed them that they do not have the rights -- there are recourses. There is no need to "whine" about it; in fact, it's probably best that as little as possible be said at all about it publicly. You just ring up your IP lawyer.