Nobody expects to get sued for re-posting a YouTube video on social media by using the “share” button, but librarian Ian Linkletter spent the past five years embroiled in a copyright fight after doing just that.
Now that a settlement has been reached, Linkletter told Ars why he thinks his 2020 tweets sharing public YouTube videos put a target on his back.
Linkletter’s legal nightmare started in 2020 after an education technology company, Proctorio, began monitoring student backlash on Reddit over its AI tool used to remotely scan rooms, identify students, and prevent cheating on exams. On Reddit, students echoed serious concerns raised by researchers, warning of privacy issues, racist and sexist biases, and barriers to students with disabilities.
It’s fascinating how sharing content can lead to unexpected legal challenges. It’s a reminder of the complexities surrounding copyright and online sharing. Glad to hear the situation ended in a settlement!
importance of understanding copyright laws in the digital age. Even with public content, the nuances can be tricky. This case really highlights how creators are increasingly protective of their work, which can complicate sharing practices.