Using YouTube for Property Damage Claims

This article outlines several ways that social media can assist claims adjusters and attorneys in preparing for property damage claims.  One suggestion is to enter the loss date into YouTube and a one word description to see if there is a video of the house fire, car accident, flood damage etc.

The article goes on to make the point that comments can be very useful too in identifying potential witnesses who might fill out the story with eyewitness detail.

One size doesn’t fit all for social media policies

The nuances of social network policy drafting is demonstrated in the case where a South Carolina a firefighter medic was fired because he produced videos dealing with a responder and a doctor in a medical situation and posted them to the Internet.  Steve Wirth, of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth LLC explained to a recent conference explained why.

The firefighter working for a public agency is afforded greater rights of free speech so that the firefighters comments about a public concern would be protected from firing but other information that goes to issue of work place grievances wouldn’t be protected.  But this constitutional protection doesn’t apply in a private employment situations.  

Again, the article goes on to explain what employers should do to protect themselves against worker abuse of social networking policies going so far as suggesting that employees sign confidentiality agreements.  But what about requiring employees to sign-off on proper social networking training? 

Perhaps the firefighter/medic who published his videos to YouTube, wouldn’t have done so had he been trained in social media use and made aware that such activity wouldn’t make him a likely candidate should he interview for another job in that field.

Turning tables on copyright enforcer

Attorney Michael Kwun is arguing that his client, Stephanie Lunz should get $430,000 in damages (mostly attorneys fees) because Universal Music insisted the YouTube take down her child’s video dancing to the Prince’s song, “Let’s get crazy.”

Its seems that Universal was a bit hasty in pulling down the video and that Lunz’s attorney filed a counter notice and had it restored.  But that wasn’t enough for Kwun.  He is looking for damages under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.

However, the judge rules this appears to be a positive development, equalizing the playing field between big music companies and individuals.

YouTube planning to highlight premium content

YouTube’s popularity hasn’t yet translated into big revenue dollars.  It looks like they will be trying to change that by redesigning their website to focus attention on premium content that can be monetized with “in-stream” advertising.  Supposedly, the new design will have four tabs; Movies, Music, Shows, and Videos, the first three of which will contain the premium content while the fourth will continue to feature high school students lip syncing to the hottest American Idol contestant.

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