I filed the counterclaim today, but that appears to have been for naught. Tony contacted Paul Viele of World Martial Arts (the producer of the original Lost Art of Hooking series to which Tony shares copyright), who assured him that he had nothing to do with any videos being removed from YouTube, or any claims of copyright violation for said clips on YouTube.
Why do we believe him? Because I’ve spent the last several hours having the product listing for Lost Art of Hooking restored on eBay, where Viele did file a copyright claim — not form listing the videos for sale, but rather for use of his company’s name in the ad copy (which, of course, doesn’t violate any copyright laws. But nevertheless…).
To rectify that situation, I removed Viele’s company’s name from the item description.
Curiously, we’ve been selling this set on eBay with the same description for close to 8 months now. Why did Viele suddenly discover a possible copyright issue?
Answer: likely tipped off by email that I might be selling unauthorized copies of the video set. In his email to Tony, Viele noted that he didn’t realize it was on behalf of Tony that I was selling the sets — which, for those who can read between the lines, is proof that Tony has every right to sell the DVDs, he being a copyright holder.
Which brings us back full circle to youtube. Why were the videos removed — including a number of videos from sets Viele had no connection with? Who filed the grievance and on what grounds. Why, after the videos were removed, was Jake Shannon lurking around my site, finally commenting on how I “libeled” him (by the way, noting that I “suspect” is not the same as making an accusation). Why did Billy Wicks suddenly sign up for Tony’s newsletter?
For years, there has been a concerted effort on the part of certain individuals to destroy Tony’s credibility and business. The question, as X would have put it in Oliver Stone’s JFK, is who stands to profit?
Again, I have my suspicions. And I’ll note that when he responded in an earlier thread, Mr Shannon was quick to lay the blame off on Viele.
We now know that isn’t the case. We also know what parties have, in the past, gone after Tony in every way possible, using internet proxies wielding lies and misinformation to harm his business and reputation.
If and when YouTube responds, now that I’ve filed the counterclaim with both them and MSN, I should be able to find out the basis for the complaint.
If you are an attorney and would be willing to draft a letter to youtube on letterhead requesting an explanation for the summary ban — and loss of my time, material, and network — please contact me.
Thanks.
Jeff, it might be helpful if you fleshed that out. Army of Davids, etc…
I did, Pablo, on a number of threads on martial arts forums where the attacks took place.
Once the new site is launched, a very thorough accounting will take place.
Briefly, Mr Shannon and his proxies have posted around the web that Tony does not have a hooking pedigree, that he stole his moves from books, that his coach didn’t exist (1), and that, when shown he did exist, that he was a strong man, not a wrestler (2); when shown he was a wrestler, the argument became there is no proof he knew hooking (3); when I traced Radwan (Tony’s coach) back to Henry Gehring, a Cleveland wrestling promoter and friend and contemporary of hookers like Frank Gotch, the story became there was no proof Tony ever knew Radwan (4); when I contacted the Monsignor at the church where Tony was an altar boy, and that Radwan attended during those years, to confirm that their paths would have necessarily met, the answer was that the fact that they knew each other doesn’t mean Tony was trained by Radwan (5). Tony’s mother’s confirmation of said training was dismissed as biased (6).
When I then showed that Tony was hospitalized and unable to walk in 1993 through early 1994 — and that he rehabilitated for several years after that — I turned the tables and ask, if Tony wasn’t trained as he claimed, when did he learn catch wrestling?
Before Tony’s clips were up on youtube, all of the bullshit his competitors peddled was plausible. But by posting the clips, including the Thesz testimonial, I was able to show that by 1997, Cecchine was viewed by Thesz as one of the few men who actually knew hooking. His clips should careful technique and advanced knowledge. Making the story that Tony was studying catch from textbooks and videotapes while learning how to walk improbable.
Too, the clips show the massive differences between Tony’s techniques and those from whom he is supposed to have “stolen” them.
Which is why removing them is of paramount importance to those who have spent years trying to take him down. People were suddenly able to judge for themselves, and the channel was exploding.
Motive.
You suggested Viele was “tipped” – had he confirmed that he was, or how he was, or what person or persons tipped him?
I wonder if there is any cross-talk between sites like Ebay and youtube relating to copyright infringement. I doubt it, but it seems possible enough for me to want to check.
Viele, unless he were dissembling, which you have obvious reason to doubt, could have flagged only “his” videos, those he had any connection to, and Youtube might still have decided there were enough flags to suspend the account, even though there were some videos not flagged.
My husband is not liscensed to practice in Colorado, I’ll ask if he would be allowed to draft anything on your behalf. There’s always Jeralyn. :)
I need coffee! I didn’t mean to imply Viele was not being straight, and meant to agree you have reason to trust him. Just that the number of videos flagged might be sufficient to cause Youtube to suspend the entire account, including unflagged videos.
Jeff I happened to stumble on your site when I did a search on “jake shannon” and libertarian… Jeff, I am not sure what has gotten into your head but I thought we had an agreement after the last time we talked. I am sorry you broke it.
…as ever Jeff. You have my phone number if you’d rather be direct instead. *sigh
I don’t have your phone number anymore, Jake. If you’d like, you can email it to me at jeff-at-proteinwisdom-dot-com.
As to our agreement, if you aren’t involved in any of this, there’ll be no problems, and I’ll be quick to note as much publicly.
So far, though, I haven’t been able to get an answer from youtube, which is why today I took a more legal route. We will get to the bottom of all this, I can tell you that much.
I have no interest in even thinking about you, to be honest. But now, every time someone actively goes after Tony, your name — along with Wicks’ — are the first two that come to mind.
There’s a reason for that, and a history behind the reaction.
Sent. (…and honesty is all I’ve ever expected, thanks)
It hasn’t arrived. Maybe retry in a few.
Re-sent to the address you gave. The number is also on my website http://www.scientificwrestling.com/public/department6.cfm