This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by ZUFFA, LLC
As I searched through YouTube for fight clips, I was plagued by this obnoxious message telling me that I can’t watch a UFC fight on the internet anymore. It’s not like I was looking for a free streaming Pay Per View clip of UFC 72, I was merely looking for an old Stephan Bonnar fight from a few years back.
So will the other fight organizations follow suit now that MMA is gaining mainstream exposure? I can’t possibly afford to buy hundreds of DVD’s to look up fight clips and bout results if I want to continue paying my mortgage. Now that ZUFFA LLC has taken the first step to remove UFC content from the internet that was uploaded without their consent, it makes me wonder if they will go further and begin suing sites and individuals for showing past UFC fight clips. Remember all of the stories about the Recording Industry Association of America and the negative press they received? Now music is practically free traded on the web through peer to peer applications and torrent sites. This minor hassle seems to be worth receiving the free entertainment.
The last thing we need is a MMA version of the RIAA. The fighters may be a bit more intimidating than some guys in blue suits, but the legal jargon will only create dissent and the fans will find other underground sites to get what they need. Don’t you think that the MMA organizations would rather see what is being freely shown on the web? Is it worth the hassle to search for what is hidden on invite-only and user-protected torrent sites?
Well, I’m off to find some MMA fights. Thanks ZUFFA, LLC.
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July 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am
If ZUFFA doesn’t protect their IP on video sites such as Youtube it sets the legal precedent for ANY company to sell and distribute any fight or event held by ZUFFA without paying ZUFFA royalties.
Hypothetical example: An organisation such as Cage Rage will be able to feature UFC fights on their DVDs and not only can ZUFFA do nothing about it - they won’t get paid for it either.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Very true. It’s interesting that every other organization seems to leave their media available for the fans. All Zuffa needs to do is place a small watermark on their media. It seems like they are turning into the WWE of MMA.