After 20 years of creating a #YouTubeChannel, I have been #banned #flagged and removed from #YouTube. 

Apparently, for creating a news video montage about #Trump.

Good Day, YouTube Representative, 

I hope the day is treating you well.

Mar 31, 3:02 AM, I received an Automated Email from “[email protected]” stating: 

“We have reviewed your content and determined that it may not be suitable for viewers under the age of 18, per our Community Guidelines. As a result, we've age-restricted the following content: Video: Former President Donald Trump Montage | A Story of Fact Not Fiction [ Part 2]. We haven't applied a strike to your channel, and your content is still live for some users on YouTube. Keep reading for more details on what this means and steps you can take if you'd like to appeal this decision. We age-restrict content when we don't think it's suitable for younger audiences. This means it will not be visible to users who are logged out, are under 18 years of age, or have Restricted Mode enabled. Learn more about age restrictions. Violent or graphic content that appears to be posted in a shocking, sensational, or disrespectful manner is not considered appropriate for all audiences.

My response:

Assuming the age-restricted content in question is the insurrection video footage from the U.S. House of Representatives January 6th Committee Hearings, let it be known: at no time was it my intention to miscategorize the video. Being that the video footage had been shown on national television to the American public, I felt it was properly categorized.

In the questioned video footage, Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi does state “ The footage you are about to see is sensitive & may be disturbing”

On Mar 31, 2023, 2:03 PM, I received a second automated email from “[email protected]” stating: 

“We have reviewed your content and found severe or repeated violations of our Community Guidelines. Because of this, we have removed your channel from YouTube. We know this is probably very upsetting news, but it's our job to make sure that YouTube is a safe place for all. If we think a channel severely violates our policies, we take it down to protect other users on the platform - but if you believe we've made the wrong call, you can appeal this decision. You'll find more information about the policy in question and how to submit an appeal below.”

My response:

Being that the alleged violations were not clearly stated within the automated email, how can I delineate a successful appeal?

After reviewing the general community guidelines criteria, I believe none of the possible violations apply to the Video: Former President Donald Trump Montage | A Story of Fact Not Fiction [ Part 2].. Also, being the video in question is a news montage of publicly available news sources, it is protected by the First Amendment Fair Use Doctrine. Fair use is a privilege that permits certain uses of a copyrighted work, for purposes such as “criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching[,] scholarship, or research,” without the copyright holder’s permission.

The Video: Former President Donald Trump Montage | A Story of Fact Not Fiction [ Part 2] is a video compilation. A “compilation” is a work formed by the collection and assembling of preexisting materials or of data that are selected, coordinated, or arranged in such a way that the resulting work as a whole constitutes an original work of authorship. The term “compilation” includes collective works.

The video in question was not created "for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain."

Over the past 20 years,  I have enjoyed using the YouTube platform to create & share 108 YouTube videos with my viewers. Perhaps an automated algorithm discontinued our relationship. Yet, I am eager to rebuild our relationship. Therefore, I am formally requesting that my YouTube channel be reinstated.

Being aware of the fact: the person reading this appeal may not be the one who makes administrative decisions, I am requesting the address, phone number, contact person & email of the appropriate law firm, attorney and/or YouTube litigation department. 

I look forward to your timely response,

Tony Eason

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakcDotLX6wojmrCnFJZ19g