What you say may be accurate, I do not give the fact others are selling it still as much weight as you tho. The copyright police are very efficient on youtube, An un -anti-copyright movies are pulled very fast by automatic systems. A long playing un-copyright check blocked movie such as the one I posted thus gets a presumption that any copyright holders know its there in the public domain and is not calling for its pull down. That could be for several reasons, one its in the public domain because of their failure to police their copyright and believe its futile, they are trying to build interest for a squeal and the movie has run its course at the bargain bin (the 2.99 post supports this), etc.
The tells I have seen for pirated are reversed screen, whiteout spot, clipping the beginning or end, adding to it to change its run length, changing its speed, voices, etc.
On the Guardian movie none of the counter copy right policing measures were in place and its been out long enough for the CR holders to pull it down if they had reason too. So as I said, I saw no reason to believe it was a problem video as it was highly viewed long running and had none of the counters normally seen with pirated videos.
Not to highjack or derail this thread any further and perhaps it warrants a new thread(?), but you are incorrect on several accounts with respect to copyrights, copyright law, what is in public domain or what constitutes fair use, etc.
BTW – the link to GOTG on YouTube that you posted (which BTW also had a clipped/shortened run time), it’s gone from YouTube now. But there are many others in its place, most of which have been uploaded in the last 1 to 4 weeks. YouTube’s Content ID is helpful in screening out illegal downloads of copyright protected movies but it is not foolproof. Copyright holders (and only the actual copyright holders) can flag videos for removal but it is not instantaneous and as I said, as soon as one is taken down, others crop up in their place. It must be a very time consuming process for the copyright holders to search and put in a complaint for each and every one posted to YouTube.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324906004578290321884631206“People who have used Content ID at media companies said the system works well, but that some individuals who illegally upload videos to YouTube have been able to manipulate the soundtrack or video to avoid detection by the system. These people add that some media companies don't always use the system properly and forget to block some illegal content.”
One of the other ways uploaders get around Content ID is to post short clips or previews and or embed them in “Play Lists” but in the text description, they post links to bit torrent sites.
Here is an example – it looks like it is the full movie posted on line but is not and doesn’t even have any clips from the movie so it would not be caught up by YouTube’s Content ID filter, but the text gives a link to what appears to be an illegal bit torrent site, most likely hosted in a foreign country. But I would not recommend clicking on it. (Posted only for illustrative purposes).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vdC5_iby0UAlso read:
http://www.techhive.com/article/2109954/even-after-settlement-youtube-remains-a-pirates-paradise.htmlAnd:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797466?hl=enThat Marvel Studios created their own YouTube channel and is offering a onetime view rental of GOTG at $2.99 SD ($3.99 for an HD rental and $14.99 SD and $15.99 HD for purchase), doesn’t negate their copyright claims. And those prices to legitimately rent or buy from their - the copyright holder’s official YouTube channel, even if you think it puts it in the “bargain bin”, it is in line with what Amazon or NetFlix or what cable companies like Comcast On Demand charges or what you’d pay if you bought the move DVD from a retailer.
IMO posting YouTube links to any “free” full length movie here of dubious legality, whether you think they are OK or not, puts this site at risk for potential legal claims and that we should respect this site just like we should for excepting articles, and just not do that. If you want to watch pirated movies on bit torrent sites or on YouTube, that’s on you. But I am not a fan of stealing or receiving stolen goods. YMMV.
@mystery-ak @Mechanicos