Except of course, you can’t do that anymore:
‘Hitler Reacts to…’ — that patron saint of YouTube memes — seems to be on its way out. The clips, which dub a scene from the 2004 German-language film ‘Downfall,’ are being rapidly pulled by Constantin Films, which is claiming copyright infringement.
The film features Hitler (portrayed by Bruno Ganz), ensconced in his bunker, learning he cannot win the war. The viral video versions tweak the subtitles to have Hitler reacting explosively to current events . . .
“Earlier today, someone attempted to upload a new version surrounding the massive iPhone 4G news. Unfortunately, as you can see on YouTube, that video has already been removed,” TechCrunch reported yesterday. The New York Times covered the phenomenon in 2008, estimating more than 100 instances of the Hitler meme.
“We as a corporation have a bit of an ambivalent view of it,” Martin Moszkowicz, an executive at Constantin Film, told the BBC. “On the one hand, we are proud the picture has such a huge fan base and that people are using it for parody. On the other hand, we are trying to protect the artists.”
No more “Downfall” parodies? The Blogosphere, 2001-2010, R.I.P.
I believe, if my understanding of the law in the US is correct, that You Tube is under no legal obligation to pull the parodies down.
Are you out there Roxeanne?
I believe, if my understanding of the law in the US is correct, that You Tube is under no legal obligation to pull the parodies down.
Are you out there Roxeanne?
Whelp, so long, the internet! Back to being misinformed by the NYT for me!
Whelp, so long, the internet! Back to being misinformed by the NYT for me!
No more Downfall videos???? Damn Nazis!
No more Downfall videos???? Damn Nazis!
I am like a dog offered bacon when anyone mentions Nazis!
I am like a dog offered bacon when anyone mentions Nazis!
dude they should be making money with this clip.
dude they should be making money with this clip.
The only thing Constantin Film is “protecting the artists” from is any royalties they get from the film being purchased, rented, etc. because someone saw a parody and decided to check out the movie.
The only thing Constantin Film is “protecting the artists” from is any royalties they get from the film being purchased, rented, etc. because someone saw a parody and decided to check out the movie.
Re: Thomas’s comment…
EXACTLY. I only decided to see the movie after first one of the bunker-scene parodies.
Re: Thomas’s comment…
EXACTLY. I only decided to see the movie after first one of the bunker-scene parodies.
The Tony Romo/Dallas Downfall parody should be preserved in the National Archives.
The Tony Romo/Dallas Downfall parody should be preserved in the National Archives.
I’m pretty darn sure that parodies are explicitly protected from claims of copyright infringement in the USA, however much the MPAA and RIAA wish it were otherwise.
I’m pretty darn sure that parodies are explicitly protected from claims of copyright infringement in the USA, however much the MPAA and RIAA wish it were otherwise.
The Knappster is exactly right. I guarantee you more people know about that flick because of the parodies than ever did because of the official trailers.
The Knappster is exactly right. I guarantee you more people know about that flick because of the parodies than ever did because of the official trailers.
The funny thing is, the director of the movie thought the parodies were hilarious:
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/01/the_director_of_downfall_on_al.html
Seriously, these people can’t understand that they’re getting free publicity. Things like this actually make people WANT to see the movie because through the parody they are being exposed to something they might not otherwise see.
For more examples of media’s stupid critical mass:
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/18/youtube-viacom-secre.html
Yep, that’s right. Viacom sued YouTube for videos that VIACOM uploaded to YouTube. Uh huh. Jerks.
The funny thing is, the director of the movie thought the parodies were hilarious:
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/01/the_director_of_downfall_on_al.html
Seriously, these people can’t understand that they’re getting free publicity. Things like this actually make people WANT to see the movie because through the parody they are being exposed to something they might not otherwise see.
For more examples of media’s stupid critical mass:
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/18/youtube-viacom-secre.html
Yep, that’s right. Viacom sued YouTube for videos that VIACOM uploaded to YouTube. Uh huh. Jerks.
Oh come on! Fair use parody!
Oh come on! Fair use parody!
I seem to be the only blogger who noticed they did this ON HITLER’S BIRTHDAY!!!
I seem to be the only blogger who noticed they did this ON HITLER’S BIRTHDAY!!!
Constantin Films celebrates Hitler’s birthday by forcing YouTube to remove Hitler ‘Downfall’ parodies over copyright claim…
Share Personally, I don’t think I would have chosen April 20, the 121st anniversary of Hitler’s birthday, as the day I forced YouTube to take down the parody videos made using the bunker scene from the Academy Award-nominated 2004 German fi…
gee whiz, I downloaded the whole movie from YouTube. The Romanian born actress who plays Hitler’s secretary is a doll.
gee whiz, I downloaded the whole movie from YouTube. The Romanian born actress who plays Hitler’s secretary is a doll.
That was fast.
http://pointofagun.blogspot.com/2010/04/dont-worry-hell-realize-irony-soon.html
That was fast.
http://pointofagun.blogspot.com/2010/04/dont-worry-hell-realize-irony-soon.html
[…] the future.YouTube: Obeying Der Fuhrer Since 2010(Hat-tips: Instapundit and Memeorandum.)PREVIOUSLY:Somebody Really Ought to Make a ‘Downfall’ Parody About This var addthis_pub='smitty1e';var addthis_language='en';var addthis_options='twitter, digg, email, […]