Right, makes sense. Well then, there’s still a major difference from BitTorrent: the fact that as soon as I stop watching and close the tab, the video is gone

Right, makes sense. Well then, there’s still a major difference from BitTorrent: the fact that as soon as I stop watching and close the tab, the video is gone from my system and I’m no longer “distributing” it. When I’m watching a video for the first time, I have no way of knowing it’s infringing. Once I’m finished—subpoena all you want; all I’ve got to do is remember to not watch that particular video ever again. I could be in trouble if I’m seeding the video on purpose, presumably if I’m its creator. Which on balance could actually be more reasonable than status quo: I reckon %CORP% would be compelled to do their homework before going after some poor individual. If it turns out to be a frivolous lawsuit and the work is fully original, that’d actually backfire—something they clearly don’t have to fear with their shotgun automated DMCA takedowns and overly zealous detection algorithms. The stakes are higher for producers, but a legitimate creator confident in their work may well prefer that to the uncertainty and constant fear that %PLATFORM% mistakes your original work for something random and pulls the rug from under you. I think there’s a parallel to be drawn between YouTube and Amazon. Apparently, the latter is leaking legitimate sellers and becomes a haven to fly-by-night shady sellers due to its ease of setup but unpredictable enforcement[0]. Not unimaginable YouTube will trend the same way—remain the platform for algorithm-favored provocative, controversial, hateful videos that tread the line of legality, and lose authentic artists. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24177200 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24177200