Updated: Christie closing video uses clips "without licensing" & "violation of copyright law"

by: Jason Springer

Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 04:23:54 PM EST

This morning we posted about how the Christie campaign was using watermarked video in his closing argument indicating a violation of copyright law. Blue Jersey reached out to Pond 5, the company where the Christie campaign took the footage from and received this response from co-founder and CEO Tom Bennett:

It does appear that the Christie campaign has used stock footage from Pond5 without licensing it, in violation of both our license agreement and copyright law. We have brought this to our legal counsel and will be determining a course of action soon.

They also provided a link to all of their clips that they say appear to have been used. You see for Chris Christie, laws appear to be for the rest of us to follow.

Updated by Jason: Talking points memo has now picked up on the story and credited our earlier post.

Update # 2 by Jason: The Christie campaign has done some damage control:

Late Update: The video has now been restored on Christie's YouTube page -- apparently in a rush, as it was done with watermarks and all. Bennett told us that at 3:43 p.m. ET, someone associated with the Christie campaign bought permissions for all the relevant videos. "So it looks like they're doing damage control," Bennett said.

I find it hilarious that even though they own the rights now, they still are running the ad with the watermarks. So is this their closing statement on the campaign or copyright infringement?

Jason Springer :: Updated: Christie closing video uses clips "without licensing" & "violation of copyright law"

Tags: 2009, Governor, ads, trademark, copyright, copyright violation, Chris Christie, (All Tags)

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Updated: Christie closing video uses clips "without licensing" & "violation of copyright law" | 2 comments

what I wonder (0.00 / 0)

Who the hell did Christie hire to do his ads? If I had donated to his campaign -- and I suppose as a taxpayer who checked the public financing box I did! -- I'd be wondering what happened. Is some crony getting the ad budget and leaving an intern to make the ads? It's just bizarre. I'm not surprised and I don't care if some blogger copies an image hoping it's okay under fair use, but how could a professional campaign?

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

by: Hopeful @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:04:01 PM CST

Rachel Maddow covered this topic (0.00 / 0)

tonite. Her advice to Republicans - never steal video clips or intellectual property from folks unless "they like you". She even got quotes from the Monty Python cast that were pretty funny. Christie again breaking the law.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 23:05:38 PM CST