This isn’t really a big deal I’m sure, but I figured I’d throw this little tidbit of nothingness onto the Internet regardless. Last week on reddit, there was a post that made it to the front page about a Human Slinky Show (and not for the first time). Anyway, It reminded me of a video that I made of another show, called Silver Worms, that I recorded while I was in Iceland earlier in the year. I subsequently uploaded the video in hopes to spam some traffic to my blog for ego nourishing reasons. I failed.
Eiher way, the shows were similar only in that there were people dressed in what could only be described as a Slinky. A few days passed by and I got an e-mail from Youtube saying my video had been removed at the request of Veniamin Shows, Inc. for copyright infringement reasons. I know now that the slinky show I witnessed was performed by an Australian duo and had nothing to do with the colorful shows Veniamin put on.
On Veniamin’s state of the art website, it is clear that they’ve never performed in Iceland, and that both shows are entirely unique in content (save for the slinky). They apparently have several copyrights on their product and this is all well and good. But since I don’t fully understand how my video violates their copyright laws, I am simply wondering if anyone else might be able to clear things up for me.
Does Veniamin have a monopoly on all future slinky performances? Think about all those kids growing up today that dream of being a human slinky when they’re older.
Their video (which I retrospectively understand has more awesome appeal):
My Video:
This blog is simply a description of what I see around me in the world today. Using whatever relevant knowledge I have acquired throughout my life time, my intention is to continue writing articles that are interesting to me, with opinions and biases that are absolutely my own. 
Ha, I remember this. I think I saw this performance though:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbJlErcWZw
I remember your video. Much more of a narrative and far fewer acrobatic moves. I think Veniamin slipped YouTube a twenty and asked them to take your video down. Can there really be an international copyright on slinky/tube performances?
The poor kids will have to sell their slinky costumes, forget their dreams, and go back to rolling down hills in garbage cans.
After going through the proper channels my video was finally put back up today. I received the following from the Veniamin:
“I have reinstate your video “Human Slinky’s in Reykjavík, Ice… ” in YouTube.com
I suggest you to remouve this two words “HUMAN SLINKY” from the title description and tags.
Now in regard to your notification to YouTube.com when you say… “According to the map on the
Veniamin site (http://veniaminshows.com/), they have never performed in Iceland”… You should know that the statutory damages provided under P.A. Copyright law can reach $30,000 per infringement, and in cases of willful infringement, $150,000 per infringement. 17 U.S.C.$ 504(c). In addition, I will also seek injunctive relief as well as your profits and attorneys fee and cost. 17U.S.C $$ 502, 504(b), 505.
Sincerely
Ioan Veniamin Oprea”
I replied to this to clarify a few points but consider the issue resolved.
I think i’ll post a video of the “Human Slinky” (Veniamin) on YouTube and name it “Silver Worms”. Let’s start a Slinky vs Worms war. The Human Slinky is powerful, but the Worms come in greater numbers. Let’s see who wins.
Ha, it sounds like their lawyer is as state of the art as their website.
Becareful or else they will give you silver worms…