Thread by @YTCreators

Lots of you have questions about what Article 13 could mean for your livelihood as creators. We're going to try to answer them here! Don't see your question answered? Ask us below #SaveYourInternet

Q: What is Article 13?
A: Article 13 is part of a proposed European Union (EU) copyright legislation created with the intent to better protect creativity and find effective ways for copyright holders to protect their content online. #SaveYourInternet

Q: Does YouTube support Article 13?
A: We support its goals to help creators & artists succeed; we want better ways for copyright holders to protect their content. But Article 13, as written by the European Parliament, will create unintended consequences, so we want better way.

Q: What’s the status of Article 13?
A: On 9/12 the European Parliament voted to move forward w/Article 13.
However it's not yet law. This language could be finalized by the end of the year, and EU member states may have up to two years to make the directive into national law.

Q: What changes with Article 13?
A: Proposed version of Article 13 would eliminate the existing notice-and-takedown system currently in place to protect rightsholders and platforms. This would make platforms liable - at the moment of upload - for any copyright infringement.

Q: What would be the impact if the European Parliament version of Article 13 passes?
A: The risks associated w/accepting content uploads w/partial or disputed copyright information would be far too large for platforms such as YouTube.

Q: Wait, what would w be the impact if the European Parliament version of Article 13 passes?
A:YouTube would be forced to block millions of videos (existing and new ones) in the European Union. It could drastically limit the content that one can upload to the platform in Europe.

Q: How would creators be impacted if the European Parliament version of Article 13 passes?
A: Creators would be especially hard hit. Videos that could be blocked include: educational videos, large number of official music videos, fan music covers, mashups, parodies and more.

Q: Why aren’t copyright matching tools like Content ID enough?
A: In many cases information on copyright ownership is missing, or there is partial knowledge, meaning that no system could accurately identify full copyright information at the point of upload.

Q: Wait, why aren’t copyright matching tools like Content ID enough?
A: Put simply, a piece of content with partial or unknown ownership is - to YouTube - treated the same as a piece of content that is unlicensed and so would have to be blocked.

Q: Is there a better way forward with Article 13?
A: Yes! We’re asking lawmakers to find better balance to protect creators, artists & entrepreneurs against copyright violations while still enabling them to be creative & make themselves heard.

Better balance means:
-Rightsholders should work with platforms to identify the content they own, so the platforms know what is protected under copyright and can give rightsholders control to block if they choose.

Better balance means:
-Platforms should only be held liable for content identified to them using tools like Content ID or through notice and takedown.

Better balance means:
-Platforms and rightsholders should negotiate in good faith where licenses and rights can be easily identified.

Q: What can people do to help find a better way forward with Article 13?
A: Make a video about Article 13. Tweet about Article 13 with the hashtag #SaveYourInternet. Join the movement at youtube.com/saveyourintern….

Q: Is YouTube alone in this fight to find a better way forward with Article 13?
A: Many others are raising concerns too. @edri, @internetarchive, @Reddit, @Patreon, @Wordpress, @Medium, @timberners_lee & the UN Special Rapporteur for free expression are some who have spoken out

#SaveYourInternet