Alan De Smet ([info]alan_de_smet) wrote,
@ 2009-03-20 21:53:00
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Entry tags:assholes, copyright, evil, magic

David Copperfield is a copyright abuser

I'm written before about how Copperfield is now an egomaniacal blowhard. He's just phoning it in. But I now know that he's a copyright bully. Check out this fine YouTube video...

Oops, it's gone, because Copperfield claims copyright on it. Okay, maybe they just copied his video. Maybe there is a copyright claim and these are just scum. Except, you can still find the video...

If that doesn't work go here.

Not a single frame of video from the original trick. Copperfield has no copyright claim. This scum abused copyright to keep the secret of his trick. Sorry David, suck it up. Tricks get revealed. It must be doubly embarrassing because these are magicians, nor did they get the information from a leak. No, they just studied the trick and deduced what must have happened. But Copperfield has lawyers. He's apparently scared the Trickbusters into removing all references to his tricks. (If you search online, you can find their analysis of several of his tricks.)

David Copperfield is scum.

Fortunately I don't recommend his shows anyway. Mac King is more fun and cheaper. And I'm optimistic about Spencers: Theatre of Illusion, who Eva and I will be seeing tomorrow.


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[info]scarybug
2009-03-21 11:17 pm UTC (link)
"Disappearing, Inc." is a hilarious name, though.

Doesn't the DCMA impose penalties for abusing copyright claims?

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[info]alan_de_smet
2009-03-22 04:37 am UTC (link)

I do have to give him props for the name.

As for the DMCA, yes, it does. But... only if you countersue, and if you do you need to show that the DMCA filer knowingly lied when they claimed your work was infringing. "Oops, I guess I made a mistake" is a valid defense. So you're down to proving intent. This is possible, if the liar in question spoke with, wrote to, or emailed others. But that requires Serious Money to pursue such a case. And if you're just two guys on the internet (and not even in the US, based on the accents) putting together Trickbusters for the fun of it, countersuing isn't realistic.

The DMCA takedown provisions are actually a good idea. But the details are flawed. Two changes would help: 1. When the uploader files counternotification, the work must be allowed to go back up instantly, not after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. 2. There should be a fine, albeit a smaller one, for "Oops, I made a mistake."

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