Copyright Aid

Hi, joined your forum a while ago and had a good read but couldn't find anything in your forum contents regarding my support question. To cut a long story short- I shot some video of a sporting scene a few years ago, I edited the footage purchased some music so that I could add it too the video then adding my own personal titles to the 2 minute clip. I've since found out this video clip has been downloaded from my server by a guest and that clip is now being shown on Google hosted by somebody else.

The person who is hosting this video has removed my titles and added his own to the video clip along with advertising his business. My question is, although I own and still have the original tape the footage was taken from I never sent the tape off to a solicitor to be copyright protected. Do I have any rights if I was to report this 'what I think is theft' to Google Video?

Thank you

Yes. This is an infringement and you should report it.

The fact that you took the footage means that you are the copyright owner - this is your automatic right.

You are correct that the fact that you did not lodge/register a copy may make it harder to prove if the other party disputes your claim, but that is no reason not to try. If disputed, you still have the original footage, and that should trump any evidence that the infringer can produce.

Thank you. I will call back and let you know how I fair after I've been in touch with Google.

Thanks again for your help.