C-SPAN Statement Regarding Colbert Video
Since shortly after the event, C-SPAN made its coverage of Stephen Colbert's performance, along with President Bush's presentation and the entire White House Correspondents' Dinner, available for viewing free via its Web site http://www.c-span.org/ These videos join C-SPAN's extensive collection of archived programming already available free online.
In response to the significant interest in this event, C-SPAN also entered into a non-exclusive arrangement with Google Video in order to increase the Colbert event's free availability. We worked with Google because they agreed to post both dinner segments in their entirety with links to c-span.org.
We asked Web sites to remove the Colbert video when they posted it without our permission and we will continue to do the same with other Web sites who violate our copyright. It is important for online video providers to understand that C-SPAN-produced programming is protected by copyright in the same way that the video of any other news network is protected. Our goal in enforcing our copyright has been and continues to be to ensure that C-SPAN's reputation for unbiased coverage of the political process is maintained.As a service, DVD copies of all C-SPAN programs are also available at a nominal price. DVD's are produced essentially at cost. This service is not a major revenue source for our non-profit network.
[comments anyone?]
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chartreuse 
May 9, 2006 at 3:42 pm
The dinosaurs didn’t have a clue that extinction was heading toward them like a freight train…
At least the dinosaurs had an excuse for this oversight (pea-sized brains).
May 9, 2006 at 3:49 pm
I understand their view but there is something wrong that I haven't been able to put my finger on…I'm thinking about it though…
May 9, 2006 at 4:00 pm
One of the most interesting things here is that everyone (or most anyway) would’ve been on the same bus just a few years ago.
“Yeah, copyright, of course they should protect it.”
We wouldn’t even be asking these questions.
May 9, 2006 at 4:28 pm
All I know is I keep having nightmares about Helen Thomas chasing me.
May 9, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Robert – the pea sized brain thing is hilarious
May 9, 2006 at 5:29 pm
I dunno. It’s easy to hate on the RIAA. What about when the little guy (me or you) gets their content ripped off? (Depending on how it was ripped off) shouldn’t we protect it?
Do users have a “right” to all content without paying? No…
In any case they gave it away free… just wanted it to be on their own terms.
I give them props for being polite… they’re almost apologetic.
May 9, 2006 at 5:36 pm
It’s C-Span.
A Non-Profit company.
Who’s mission is to give consumers access.
That’s why it bothers me.
May 9, 2006 at 10:30 pm
And they have exclusive access to the hallowed halls of government…
And all they are offering on Google Video is the whole damned evening, which no one wants to sit through… (I know, I watched it live)
May 10, 2006 at 2:26 pm
The reason why C-Span is doing this sort of weak enforcement is to create a public record that they are enforcing their copyright in the information.
I think any reasonable person would recognize (including the people at C-Span) that they are not going to keep every unauthorized use of the video offline, but by making a public record of ‘reasonable efforts’ to uphold their copyright, under US law they retain it.
The reason that is important is b/c if in the future C-Span wants to do anything with the video, or even to just keep it from entering the public domain so as to prevent any other television station from using it they need a public record of attempting to defend it.
The reason you find it troubling is because you read this as a pretty rediculous attack at individual web-owners or a sort of limiting information to the public at large. But this is about something much larger than the individual website owner…in effect this is a sham show to maintain their rights so that other TV stations will have to pay them for the footage later.
May 10, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Good points from both Rich and Andy. I could be wrong.
Nice big picture point of view.
May 10, 2006 at 3:39 pm
When Dan Rather Hits YouTube
YouTube has created the most vibrant video community that ever existed, and naturally, struggling news organizations want a piece of that interactive action. Two of my favorite media blogs are looking at what happens when Dan Rather hits YouTube…
May 11, 2006 at 6:14 pm
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