Sports Online

Barstool Copyright Dispute Takes Over Twitter

“It remains to be seen if Berdouw’s tirade will be enough to invoke change and help content creators get the credit they are due.”

Published

5 years ago

March 5, 2019

Jacob Harrison

A dispute between comedian Miel Bredouw and digital media powerhouse Barstool Sports has put a spotlight on a social media problem that far too often gets overlooked: copyright infringement. Bredouw took to Twitter Monday evening to relay the struggles she faced against Barstool and Twitter’s copyright policies.

The problems began when Barstool uploaded an original video of Bredouw’s without permission or credit in December, which she promptly reported to Twitter after her requests to be credited were ignored. The video was immediately taken down.

The video in question is a 36-second clip Bredouw posted on Youtube two years ago of her realizing the Christmas classic “Carol of the Bells” synced well with Three 6 Mafia’s “Slob On My Knob.” The video, like much of Bredouw’s work, went viral. Of course, that should be a good thing for exposure on Bredouw’s behalf, but the nature of social media means the video was reposted repeatedly without her permission more times than she can count.

The true crime here isn’t just that Barstool stole the video, it’s the fact that they, and any other account, avoid any amount of punishment if they fight back.

After the video was taken down, Barstool began reaching out via multiple affiliated accounts across any social media service Bredouw uses in an effort to resolve the conflict. Barstool initially offered a trade to have Bredouw remove the claim and allow Barstool to keep the video up with proper credit to the comedian. Over the past three months the offer ramped up to a $2,000 offer to have the claim rescinded.

Barstool then took advantage of a Twitter legal loophole by filing a counter-notice to allow the video to be put back which forces Berdouw to have to take legal action to resolve the matter in her favor. Once a counter-notice is employed, the case is out of Twitter’s hands entirely, according to company policy on the matter.

“If the copyright owner disagrees that the content was removed in error or misidentification, they may pursue legal action against you. If we do not receive notice within 10 business days that the original reporter is seeking a court order to prevent further infringement of the material at issue, we may replace or cease disabling access to the material that was removed.

We cannot offer any legal advice. Should you have questions, please consult an attorney.”

https://twitter.com/miel/status/1102697406167019520

“I think what it really comes down to is support. For reasons I and the rest of the internet don’t seem to understand, Twitter refuses to have human support with major issues on the website like harassment and death threats and suspension of accounts,” Bredouw told The Verge. “It’s insane to me that the platform is allowing them to do this.”

Twitter’s copyright policy works on a strike basis, though the strikeout number isn’t known. Once that number is hit, Twitter will look to lock or shut down the violating account. Berdouw speculated Barstool’s actions show they could be nearing the count.

https://twitter.com/miel/status/1102698122050908162

Berdouw isn’t going to continue the fight against Barstool and whether the video is up now or not, Barstool won in a situation where they were blatantly wrong. Copyright infringement, in an age where anyone can create original content for the whole world to see, is not an easy thing to police. It remains to be seen if Berdouw’s tirade will be enough to invoke change and help content creators get the credit they are due.

Jacob Harrison

Up Next

Silver Says Broadcasting Needs To Adapt To Fans

Don't Miss

ESPN+ Increases NHL Programming Ahead Of Playoffs

Sports Online

FanDuel Parent Company Sets NYSE Listing Date

The date takes place just before Super Bowl LVIII.

Published

49 mins ago

December 11, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

Flutter, the parent company of FanDuel, has revealed the date in which it plans to start being listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Trading on the stock will begin on January 29, the day after the AFC and NFC Championship Games, which will reveal the matchup for Super Bowl LVIII. The company will be found on the ticker as FLUT.

Flutter plans to delist from the Euronext Dublin exchange and keep a separate listing on the London Stock Exchange, according to Front Office Sports.

95% of FanDuel is owned by Flutter.

Jordan Bondurant

Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett Sports Media. He’s a multimedia journalist and communicator who works at the Virginia State Corporation Commission in Richmond. Jordan also contributes occasional coverage of the Washington Capitals for the blog NoVa Caps. His prior media experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, WRIC-TV 8News and Audacy Richmond. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.

Sports Online

Endeavor Partners With TNA Wrestling to Launch Streaming Service

“We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content…”

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2023

BSM Staff

TNA Wrestling has announced it has entered into a new deal with Endeavor to launch a streaming service.

While previously utilizing the Impact Wrestling brand, Anthem Sports & Entertainment has revived the TNA Wrestling brand as part of a relaunch ahead of the new streaming service which will debut on Friday, January 5th.

“This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy,” said TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore. “We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favorite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5.”

“Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalized OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience,” added Endeavor CCO Pete Bellamy. “We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”

Price points are $9.99 per month or $95.99 per year for subscribers. An additional tier is available for $219.99 per year which will include the four “tent-pole” pay-per-view events.

The announcement comes as a bit of a surprise in the wrestling world. Impact Wrestling previously held partnerships with the AEW and New Japan wrestling promotions. Meanwhile, Endeavor recently completed its merger of WWE and UFC in a more than $20 billion deal.

BSM Staff

Sports Online

Dianna Russini: Joining The Athletic ‘Hardest Thing I’ve Done in My Life’

“Writing is really challenging, but really rewarding as well. I’m really happy. I love what I’m doing now.”

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2023

Ricky Keeler

Courtesy: Joe Faraoni, ESPN Images

If you are looking for the NFL reporter who has the most headline-worthy stories this week, look no further than Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Russini had the story about how the Carolina Panthers team culture resembles The Hunger Games written with Joseph Person and the one where Zach Wilson was reportedly reluctant to play for the New York Jets again as their quarterback written with Zack Rosenblatt and Jeff Howe.

Russini was a guest on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Friday and she said that despite some of the backlash she might get from fans from the teams she reports on, she hopes the credibility she has built up with past stories will allow people to trust she is reporting the truth.

“When you have been doing this a long time and become a credible person covering the league, you hope that because of all the past stories you’ve done, you’ve built this trust with the audience and with the fans. What I realized over the last few days is it’s not that they don’t believe the report is accurate. They know the report is accurate, the story is just unbelievable.”

During this week, Dianna Russini mentioned that she has heard from Jets fans when she drops her kids off at daycare and hasn’t heard many great things. At the same time, even though some try to discredit her reports, she is not trying to pile on people’s misfortunes, but instead report the facts.

“Unfortunately, it’s just my job to uncover the story and uncover the news. When the number two pick doesn’t want to play or is hesitant or reluctant, whatever word the Jets are comfortable with the world knowing about at this point, that’s a story to me. I feel bad for Zach. I’m not this cold, mean witch that wants to piss on the Jets organization, but this is a story.”

“People just want to blame someone and I understand it,” Russini continued. “At the end of the day, if I was a fan and there were reporters covering a team and being able to share everything that’s happening and giving you the truth, I would appreciate it.”

“The best part about reporting the truth is you are actually indifferent about it. I’m working on two other stories now. I’ve moved past it because I stand by my reporting on it.”

Since joining The Athletic three months ago, Dianna Russini said it has been the hardest thing in her career, but she is enjoying the reward of the hard work that she is putting into her writing.

“My week has been trash. It’s horrendous…I also get to hear it from Jets fans when I drop my kids off at daycare…they know the report is accurate, the story is just unbelievable.”

– @DMRussini describes what her week has been like since Aaron Rodgers commented on her… pic.twitter.com/ZkfXEwOmb5
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) December 8, 2023

“The Athletic has been tremendous. No one told me it would be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Writing is really challenging, but really rewarding as well. I’m really happy. I love what I’m doing now. It took me 40 years to be able to really feel that and say that and express it. It’s really been a great three months already at The Athletic.”

Ricky Keeler

Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at [email protected].