Fans have been receiving copyright strikes from Universal and YouTube for sharing videos of Queen’s concerts with Adam Lambert. Brian May has recently taken to Instagram to address and explain this situation. Captioning a fan post about the strikes, he wrote:
“Hi, Folks! I’ve been watching this for a few days, and I’m very concerned. I’ve asked our management to look into it and try to figure out if there is a reason for Instagram and Universal suddenly becoming so Draconian. The decision to take these videos down certainly hasn’t come from us, the band. Hopefully, we will get an answer soon.”
The guitarist apologized to his followers and added:
“Meanwhile, be extra careful, and I’m sorry you good folks of good intentions have been put in this position. Wishing you a happy Christmas season. In common with many of you, I don’t find it easy to come up to the level of frenetic joyfulness that is portrayed in the media as requisite for this time of year. But let’s all look around us and look for ways to make other people’s Christmases as Jolly as possible. Apart from anything else, it’s good therapy! Cheers all!”
What’s Up With The Copyright Strikes?
The fan post May shared on his account detailed the issue:
“Hi guys, it looks like Universal and YouTube are now coming for everyone who posts concert videos of Queen and Adam. I got a strike and deleted most of my concert videos. If you get multiple strikes, you may lose your channel. Be careful!”
Usually, copyright owners don’t make a big deal about fans sharing videos on social media to keep them engaged in the artists’ work. But YouTube has a tool since 2007 that lets copyright owners keep an eye on fan-made videos.
The reason behind Universal’s decision to remove these fan videos is not yet known.
Queen’s Last Shows With Lambert
Queen + Adam Lambert started their 2023 ‘Rhapsody Tour’ on October 4 in Baltimore, Maryland, wrapping up on November 12 in Los Angeles. They’ve announced dates for 2024, hinting these could be their last performances.
Speaking about the tour in a statement the band shared in August, Roger Taylor said:
“We are so excited to be returning to Japan, the country that has always held a special and most honored place in our hearts. This may be the last time… who knows? We promise to bring a very real spectacular for you to enjoy.”
The tour’s Japanese leg starts in Nagoya on February 4, 2024.
