Unter den Linden

Virtualpolitik friend and digital journalist Bernhard Drax complains that a recent video has been pulled in Germany for alleged copyright violations. Although known for his use of machinima, Draxtor's low-tech video only uses a 2D representation of his 3D avatar.

As algorithms are developed to automatically pull YouTube videos with certain kinds of background music, the effect on videos that might incorporate copyrighted tunes unintentionally (rather than for critical or creative effect in editing, as in the Draxtor case) could lead people in public places to think differently about ubiquitous muzak if it interferes with vernacular video-making.

(My favorite appropriation of a likeness may be in this Mac vs. PC send-up.)