So while I was working on another video for MPX during the weekend, there's been quite a lot of talk regarding The Fine Bros., the duo best known for the numerous React video series where we get to see random people reacting to various things over the internet. They've been doing this for several years now and a huge success for them. As you may have known, the Fine Bros. made their Multi-channel Network "React World", for content creators to produce their own React videos under The Fine Bros. license.
Which is fine and all until The Fine Bros. attempted to trademark the word 'React', along with others to make the sense that they, The Fine Bros., invented what is essentially a natural human action, along with a common word or phrase used by everyone for centuries. That means that, if the Trademark is approved and copyrighted, then just making a simple reaction to whatever can get you sued by The Fine Bros. or its conglomerates. This caused a huge backlash within the Youtube community and substantial loss in their subscriber base. In just a few days, this issue has now spread to places like the BBC. Youtuber Leonard French, who is a Copyright Attorney, posted a video regarding this issue and the legality of trademarking the word 'React' and the numerous problems that arise if the trademark is approved. I've put his video link in the description for you guys to check out.
The Fine Bros. insist in their video response to the backlash that they will NOT claim copyright infringement on people who make their own reactions videos, so long as it's not an EXACT duplicate of their own react videos, which is awfully vague. And despite their insistence, there have been numerous reports of Youtube Content Creators, whose own React videos have been flagged by either The Fine Bros. themselves, The Fine Bros. Entertainment, of which they own, or the Multi-Channel Network Fullscreen, of which The Fine Bros. are a member of. It is also publically known that The Fine Bros. have criticized The Ellen Degeneres show for their own React Video series, claiming it was their own format.
As of this video, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has released information on The Fine Bros.'s trademark of the word 'React', for the public to see and voice their opinion on the matter. Again, credit goes to Youtuber Leonard French and the information can also be found in the video description.
Now, what does this incident mean for much of the Youtube community? Well, that depends on what you use Youtube for. If you just visit Youtube to watch videos and nothing else, then you're perfectly fine. You are totally unaffected by the drama going on here, and you can still watch those React videos whenever you want. Though it is possible that, if The Fine Bros. had it their way, then the majority, if not the entire catalogue of React videos would be coming from The Fine Bros. and no one else.
If however, you are a Content Creator, like myself, this causes a huge problem. Because even something as me reacting to say, an episode of Steven Universe, I could get flagged by The Fine Bros. or their conglomerates, over me simply REACTING to something! This video itself can be counted as a React video over the issue with The Fine Bros.! That puts me, and virtually everyone else on The Fine Bros.'s crosshairs to be flagged for copyright! That's how insane the issue is!
It may not be a big deal for a Youtube viewer, but for the Content Creator, this is essentially their livelihood. Youtube has shown and proven that you can make an honest living by making videos and sharing it with everyone. PewDiePie, Markiplier, The Nostalgia Critic, and yes, even The Fine Bros. themselves all started just posting videos of whatever content they're doing, which in time, provided huge monetary benefits. But what The Fine Bros. are doing is essentially purging smaller content creators like myself for all the views, all the clicks, and the money that goes with it!
So yes, I am one of many within the Youtube community who openly oppose The Fine Bros.'s attempt to trademark the word 'React' and the concept of a React video in general. And though I hear The Fine Bros. are working with the people who got their videos flagged by them or their conglomerates to remove those flags, the damage is already there.
If I'm to give advice to The Fine Bros. to regain their trust with the Youtube community, the answer is simple - drop ALL of your trademarks. Drop the trademarks for "Kids React", "Elders React", and most especially the word "React". You basically have 13 million subscribers (and dropping), so you're big. You do not need to kick the small guys out for their React videos. You're essentially the Burger King of React videos! So just keep doing them and do your React World, thing. People will come check your content no matter what!
But if you continue this campaign of curbstomping the small guys and claiming the word 'React' and reactions in general as yours AND yours alone, then you will continue to feel the scorn of your fanbase, the Youtube community, all of social media, and now the mainstream media and the general public! At this rate, you will eventually reach a point you can no longer earn revenue at all from your viewers because of this stupid trademarking and campaign of yours!
I'll say it again - drop your trademarks and stop flagging other people for their reactions, and lift the ones you or your congolomerates already flagged, if you want the trust of the people back.
Oh, and screw you, Fullscreen. Your actions pretty much makes it clear no one wants to join your network - EVER.
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