How fascinating is this... I've heard dozens of times about people posting copyrighted material to YouTube and the copyright owner yanking the chain on it causing the video to vanish and often the submitter's account closed, but this is news to me.

I've only ever submitted one video to YouTube and it was because I couldn't find it anywhere else (and James Roe sifted it for me here). Anyway, I just got this interesting email from YouTube that shows me the music industry might be smartening up just a tad:

Dear YouTube Member:

Sony/BMG has claimed some or all visual content in your video Weird Al - You Don't Love Me Any More. This claim was made as part of the YouTube Content Identification program.

Your video is still live because Sony/BMG has authorized the use of this content on YouTube. As long as Sony/BMG has a claim on your video, they will receive public statistics about your video, such as number of views. Viewers may also see advertising on your video's page.

Claim Details:

• Copyright owner: Sony/BMG
• Content claimed: Some or all of the visual content
• Policy: Allow this content to remain on YouTube.
  * Place advertisements on this video's watch page.
  Applies to these locations: United States

Sony/BMG claimed this content as a part of the YouTube Content Identification program. YouTube allows partners to review YouTube videos for content to which they own the rights. Partners may use our automated video / audio matching system to identify their content, or they may manually review videos.

Sincerely,
The YouTube Content Identification Tea

So, in short, they've claimed it as their own, but they don't want it removed. Instead, they just want to receive stats and stick advertising on my submission of their content. Now that's someone using their head to make money for once instead of just trying to pointelessly flex their virtual muscles.

Neato mosquito.