Just a little bit ago, I received word that Microsoft or an agency that represents them had pulled an almost two year old video by a podcaster named Bruce Naylor of FrugalTech. Then word came via the same thread and Twitter that other podcasters including Chris Pirillo and Mark Watson from SoliderKnowsBest had been issued similar takedown notices. At first it looked like the takedown notices were targeting bad reviews, but it’s beginning to look like any mention of Microsoft may earn a YouTuber a takedown notice.
Pirillo has suggested the hashtag #Microstopped to collect all reports.
We don’t know much at this time, but we will update you as we know more. Have you been #Microstopped?
Update
It turned out that the whole #Microstopped issue comes down to a major misunderstanding according to Neowin. It was never Microsoft’s intention to shut down entire videos, but to remove specific comments where individuals were posting stolen serial codes to software. Somewhere in there, there was a major miscommunication between Microsoft and YouTube which resulted some angry and confused YouTubers.
If you video comes back up, let us know.
I wounder if this is just a fight between Google and Microsoft.
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-youtube-blocking-response-2013-8
This is the only way they can fight back. Not sure who is wrong/right but I can tell you that consumers will lose out.
The moment a corporation can circumvent free speech is a sad and terrifying prospect. We are entitled to our opinion, no matter how controversial it is, and that right is guaranteed us via the first amendment. Just because a company doesn’t like negative reviews of their products does not give them the right to pull someone’s video, newspaper/magazine editorial, blog, etc… In the spirit of free speech, the company can choose to rebut, or better still improve the product’s lacking or negative aspects. As a content creator myself, i see Microsoft’s move of utilizing cease & desist notices for people not loving what they put forth or even instructing others on the use of their products makes me want to abandon their pc platform in favor of Ubuntu or Mac… but that’s just me.