Uploaded April 2009 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is the fifth (and possibly last) in a series of videos on YouTubes Terms of Service. This series is primarily in response to the YourTubeAdvocates (Number 20) videos.
youtube.com/watch?v=51f_1l20hXs
youtube.com/watch?v=GBab6u-VdYg
My videos on TOS may also help explain why people were quick to jump on YouTube for the suspension of James Randi. Mr. Randi gently chastised some of us for getting on YouTubes case, and this series of videos gives a partial explanation of why many are unwilling to give YouTube the benefit of the doubt.
youtube.com/watch?v=zngwTpkogeE
Part of that suspicion stems from past actions of YouTube, and part of it comes from their lack of communication with us about these matters. They make it very difficult for the average YouTuber to communicate with them if their video has been wrongfully removed.
It is against YouTube policy to download comments or videos:
youtube.com/t/terms
Note clauses 5B and 5C:
5B: You may access User Submissions for your information and personal use solely as intended through the provided functionality of the YouTube Website. You shall not copy or download any User Submission unless you see a download or similar link displayed by YouTube on the YouTube Website for that User Submission.
5C: User Comments are made available to you for your information and personal use solely as intended through the normal functionality of the YouTube Website. User Comments are made available "as is", and may not be used, copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, broadcast, displayed, sold, licensed, downloaded, or otherwise exploited in any manner not intended by the normal functionality of the YouTube Website or otherwise as prohibited under this Agreement.
However, many people are unaware of, or ignore the rule against downloading videos. They need to download videos of other users in order to use short clips to comment on them. This is especially important in extended debates—and it is the best way to quote someone to reveal that they are bullshitting you or committing fraud.
It is also a necessity when producing video mashups. Incidentally, look at this video promoting the video Saw5. If you look at the page on YouTubes sponsors, you will see Saw5 as one of the top 20 YouTube sponsors of all time:
youtube.com/members?s=mv&t=a&g=6
Now watch this Saw5 video:
youtube.com/watch?v=IZlb3IB_lvE
Note that the Saw5 video encourages you to make mashups from clips on YouTube. In other words, YouTubes sponsor was encouraging you to violate YouTubes Terms of Service. Also note that this video was viewed over 3 million times. How did it get this many views? Easy. YouTube featured it very prominently as a video advertisement in the top right corner of its home page for a day or two.
It may also be necessary to download videos and save comments as evidence of harassing behavior.
And finally, it may be important to save comments and videos as evidence for lawsuits.
This is the fifth (and possibly last) in a series of videos on YouTubes Terms of Service. This series is primarily in response to the YourTubeAdvocates (Number 20) videos.
youtube.com/watch?v=51f_1l20hXs
youtube.com/watch?v=GBab6u-VdYg
My videos on TOS may also help explain why people were quick to jump on YouTube for the suspension of James Randi. Mr. Randi gently chastised some of us for getting on YouTubes case, and this series of videos gives a partial explanation of why many are unwilling to give YouTube the benefit of the doubt.
youtube.com/watch?v=zngwTpkogeE
Part of that suspicion stems from past actions of YouTube, and part of it comes from their lack of communication with us about these matters. They make it very difficult for the average YouTuber to communicate with them if their video has been wrongfully removed.
It is against YouTube policy to download comments or videos:
youtube.com/t/terms
Note clauses 5B and 5C:
5B: You may access User Submissions for your information and personal use solely as intended through the provided functionality of the YouTube Website. You shall not copy or download any User Submission unless you see a download or similar link displayed by YouTube on the YouTube Website for that User Submission.
5C: User Comments are made available to you for your information and personal use solely as intended through the normal functionality of the YouTube Website. User Comments are made available "as is", and may not be used, copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, broadcast, displayed, sold, licensed, downloaded, or otherwise exploited in any manner not intended by the normal functionality of the YouTube Website or otherwise as prohibited under this Agreement.
However, many people are unaware of, or ignore the rule against downloading videos. They need to download videos of other users in order to use short clips to comment on them. This is especially important in extended debates—and it is the best way to quote someone to reveal that they are bullshitting you or committing fraud.
It is also a necessity when producing video mashups. Incidentally, look at this video promoting the video Saw5. If you look at the page on YouTubes sponsors, you will see Saw5 as one of the top 20 YouTube sponsors of all time:
youtube.com/members?s=mv&t=a&g=6
Now watch this Saw5 video:
youtube.com/watch?v=IZlb3IB_lvE
Note that the Saw5 video encourages you to make mashups from clips on YouTube. In other words, YouTubes sponsor was encouraging you to violate YouTubes Terms of Service. Also note that this video was viewed over 3 million times. How did it get this many views? Easy. YouTube featured it very prominently as a video advertisement in the top right corner of its home page for a day or two.
It may also be necessary to download videos and save comments as evidence of harassing behavior.
And finally, it may be important to save comments and videos as evidence for lawsuits.
