# Under what circumstances can a movie be shown in its entirety on YouTube? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359 "2015-09-15T14:25:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/1 "2015-09-15T14:25:45Z")
I was surprised to see that [The Imitation Game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYm-FOj4ZTc), a recent and first rate movie, is available to watch in its entirety on YouTube. Sure, I know that some old films, and even ‘classics’ are available. But I was under the impression that there were essentially zero newer films available to watch, especially ‘quality’ ones. That said, occasionally you _will_ encounter a full-length version of a newer movie that’s been posted on YouTube. In my experience, though, such films are removed within a day or two, and often even after a few hours. It’s worth pointing out that some movies seem to have been uploaded onto YouTube after having their audio or video tracks altered in such a way so as to avoid detection by various programs that scan YouTube looking for copyright violations. For example, both this full-length version of [True Grit (2010)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WaHqsjodM) and [Gone Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xMzHuhuoYs) have their audio distorted (with the former also having the film borders cropped). And this full-length version of [Animal House](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x75vvieni50) has a ‘spotlight’ superimposed over the entire film. But, so far as I can tell, [The Imitation Game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYm-FOj4ZTc) has a perfect picture (HD actually) and equally pristine audio. By the way, please note that it’s been available on YouTube for over three months, more than enough time for it to have been detected and deleted. So, why _is_ it available? Thanks! (I’m putting this in GQ and not Cafe Society since my question should have a factual answer. Besides, what I’m hoping to learn about has nothing to do with the ‘artistic’ or ‘entertainment’ aspect of the movie.) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/2 "2015-09-15T15:32:29Z")
I’ve heard, though no confirmation, that youtube was trying to get some movies legally on them, however most/many seem to be people trying to sneak one on without the proper copyright. Also I don’t think the mods would appreciate the links you posted if they are not legit, so I ahve reported that just incase they may want to delete them. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/3 "2015-09-15T15:34:38Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I’ve heard, though no confirmation, that youtube was trying to get some movies legally on them, however most/many seem to be people trying to sneak one on without the proper copyright. > > Also I don’t think the mods would appreciate the links you posted if they are not legit, so I ahve reported that just incase they may want to delete them. The links are there on YouTube. If YouTube has kept them as they have, for months, it is not your job or the mods’ to label them as illegal. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/4 "2015-09-15T15:36:18Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > But, so far as I can tell, [The Imitation Game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYm-FOj4ZTc) has a perfect picture (HD actually) and equally pristine audio. By the way, please note that it’s been available on YouTube for over three months, more than enough time for it to have been detected and deleted. > > So, why _is_ it available? Apparently, it’s not anymore. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/5 "2015-09-15T15:38:00Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Apparently, it’s not anymore. Still works for me. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/6 "2015-09-15T15:51:52Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Still works for me. I see " This video contains content from Weinstein, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds. " That’s from the US. I get the same through a Canadian proxy. They just hadn’t caught it yet and may have some work yet to do legally to finish the job. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-movie-be-shown-in-its-entirety-on-youtube/731359/7 "2015-09-15T15:54:04Z")
I assume some companies allow their movies on YouTube to make some money from the ad revenue. There are a bunch of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on there, they look compltely legitimate to me.