One
day, whilst trying to download music via Youtube converter site Youtube to Mp3 this petition popped up,
asking if I wanted to sign a petition to stop Youtube from suing the site. At
first I ignored it, but then it appeared again, with Youtube (Google) denying
me access to converting the Youtube clip to mp3 format, because they claim that
it's 'stolen' content. This is NOT stolen content, the site is merely
converting mp4s to mp3s—it's essentially a more legal approach to torrenting
(pirating music). Anyways, it frustrated me to the point where I felt that it
was time that I sign the petition to stop. I don't usually sign e-petitions
because I feel that it's unnecessary and my contribution would be deemed
insignificant. However, when I checked the site and saw that it has over
2million signatures, it impressed me seeing so many individuals around the
world banding together to stop Google’s suppressing small companies.
To
go into depth with this topic: Youtube (owned by Google) is without a doubt one
of the largest video providers on the interwebs. It provides its users with
free access to popular/trending videos, more importantly music on their site.
Youtube claims to have been heavily affected by this Youtube converter site,
claiming to lose revenue daily, due to the fact that their content is being ‘stolen’
from their site and created into mp3s. Mp3 converter is a simple site that allows
its user to convert Youtube videos to Mp3s, that requires no membership, hence
adding to it’s appeal; as people prefer being anonymous. The users are then
allowed to listen to these mp3 conversions on their computer, phone or any music
device, without the need to visit Youtube. It's these giant companies like
'Google' who want to dominant and control every inch of the Internet, as Philip
the creator of the site stated “We would estimate that there are roughly 200
million people across the world that make use of services like ours and Google
doesn’t just ignore all those people, they are about to criminalize them. With
the way they are interpreting and creating their ToS every one of those 200
million users is threatened to be sued by Google.” While there are always two
sides to every story, the content generated in this site doesn’t become the property
of Google when the item is converted, and it’s main purpose to cater for the people and make life more convenient.
And since I have a tendency to always support the underdog, I’m somewhat
biased, as I portray Google as a major company oppressing the little guy (in
this case, Mp3 Converter). Even if Youtube succeeds on shutting down its site,
I doubt it’ll stop other Mp3 converter sites from emerging.
This
e-petition currently needs 800k signatures and what better way to spread the
word of this issue by posting it on my blog. As a community, we should come
together and establish an e-forum, e-hacktivist group, or anything that will
enable us stop major companies like ‘Google’ and even oppressive government
regimes from suppressing the individual. The Internet is an impeccable
communication tool; we should use it to our advantage.
If you want to sign the petition, click here
We can make a difference!
Signed & re-tweeted (: I also really do hope that this petition grants access to our freedom & downloading rights! RAAAHHHHHH! >=O (i'm supposed to be angry ahehe)
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
The curly haired boy with the buttoned up collar.