Monty Python Not Silly About Copyrights

Monty Python is finally doing something about all those unauthorized video uploads of their comedy sketches and movie clips to YouTube. Rather than unleashing their lawyers and issuing take down notices they're fighting back by launching their own YouTube Channel and reposting all their most popular clips in HQ (High Quality) direct from their own vaults.

This means that the best quality version of your favorite Monty Python moment can be found on the Monty Python Channel.

As well all of their videos are linked to their corresponding products on Amazon which they are blatantly encouraging you to buy to help ease their pain of being ripped off for the past three years.

Watch their very entertaining announcement video of this strategy below.

The Monty Python Channel on YouTube

Posted by MontyPython

The channel was launched in November of 2008 and, according to YouTube's blog, not only are Monty Python's video clips frequently receiving high views but also their product sales on Amazon have increased dramatically.

"The past few months have demonstrated that great content on YouTube leads to increased sales. For example, when Monty Python launched their channel in November, not only did their YouTube videos shoot to the top of the most viewed lists, but their DVDs also quickly climbed to No. 2 on Amazon's Movies & TV bestsellers list, with increased sales of 23,000 percent." - YouTube blog

What this demonstrates is that issuing take down notices and phoning lawyers is not always the best strategy for protecting great content. Instead of spending a small fortune removing illegally posted content (and reducing their fans access to their content) Monty Python is uploading better quality clips and making a small fortune in the process.

I know a few record labels, TV Networks and others who should be taking notice.

Rather than issuing take town notices they should be asking copyright infringer's to include links to their official content. That way people who want to see more have a way to find the official source of what they're looking for.

For example I'd love to be able to use popular music as a sound track on my videos and would be more than happy to put links back to the artist's homepage, Amazon store or wherever.

This also ties into something I've said about my own content for a long time which is: If you know of anyone making good money from selling my content please let me know because I want to find out what they're doing and possibly even form a partnership with them to sell more.

These kinds of positive strategies can be win/win for everyone concerned. Let's get those lawyers working on licensing agreements instead cease and desist letters.

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