YouTube shuts down Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty stream because WNBA content ‘belongs to somebody else’

In a bizarre situation of copyright ‘infringement’, YouTube shut down the live stream of a WNBA game that was set up by one of the teams because the content ‘belongs to someone else’.

WNBA fans were hoping to watch the New York Liberty taking on the Connecticut Sun on the Google-owned video platform, which would normally not be broadcast live.

It’s not clear what the issue was, but YouTube kept shutting down the stream over and over again.

‘This live stream has been terminated due to continuously unmonitored use of content that belongs to somebody else,’ a message read on the livestream link the team posted before the game.

Another screenshot from the stream showed a message saying the broadcast was ‘suspended for policy violations’. 

Even though it was set up by the team’s account itself, the Sun weren’t allowed to stream it

Eventually, the team gave up and sadly informed their fans that nothing would work for them

Other attempts by the Sun to get the stream back up and running faced a same problem – but this time, it led to a notice saying the video wasn’t available because it contained ‘content from Videocities NBA Account, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.’

Eventually, the Sun gave up after too many tries were stonewalled by the site. 

‘Sorry Sun Fans, we tried our best to livestream,’ the team posted on Twitter. ‘I guess we’ll just have to see you in person all season long.’

Neither the Sun nor YouTube responded to requests for comment from the New York Post. 

According to YouTube’s guidelines on copyright issues with live streams, it reads,  ‘When third-party content is identified, a placeholder image may replace your live stream. You’ll be warned to stop streaming the third-party content. If you comply with this warning and address the issues, your stream can continue.

‘If the third-party content remains in your stream, your live stream will be temporarily interrupted or terminated. Your stream can also be terminated if you get a copyright or Community Guidelines strike.’