Microsoft Threatens to Ban GitHub Users Reposting YouTube-DL Code

Source:-https://winbuzzer.com

Back last week, Microsoft caught some concerned looks when the company’s GitHub code repository removed code for the YouTube-DL video download tool. As we previously reported, there was plenty of backlash, including many users on GitHub reposting the code.

Microsoft now says it is taking further action and will ban any user reposting the YouTube-DL tool. In a note on GitHub, Microsoft says the following:

Illegal or Not?
If you’re unfamiliar with YouTube-DL, it is a tool for internet video download commands. It is not an illegal service but it is prohibited under section 1201 of US copyright law because it allows users to circumvent copyrights.

Many fans responded to Microsoft’s initial action by saying YouTube-DL is a legitimate tool. In fact, those YouTube-DL users claim the software is a fair use tool that also helps to download proprietary content or back up videos.

Public Knowledge legal Director John Bergmayeh fell on Microsoft’s side and says YouTube-DL is in violation of US laws. He says it is used to “circumvent the technological protection measures used by authorized streaming services such as YouTube” and to “reproduce and distribute music videos and sound recordings owned by [RIAA’s] member companies without authorization for such use.”

It will be interesting to see how this situation develops. I guess some users will continue to post the code despite Microsoft’s ban hovering over them.