First Four Apprentice Episodes Back Up on Google

Good news and bad news folks!

The good news is that the first four episodes of the North Bay Apprentice have been put back up on Google. Here is what Google Video Support had to say in an e-mail to me dated Monday, November 13th:

"Hi Randy,

In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have completed processing your infringement counter complaint dated 10/27/2006. Your videos have been reinstated in the Google Video index. Please let us know if we can assist you further.

Sincerely,
The Google Video Team"

Consider this a WIN for the good guys.

As you are probably aware by now, the reason they were removed is that Ted McKeown of NBTV.ca, the former camera person for the show, mistakenly thought (and still thinks) HE owned the rights to the episodes and filed a claim of "copyright infringement."

Google, trying to cover its behind, removed the videos. Then, upon my counter-complaint, they reinstated them.

The bad news? This might continue to happen if Mr. McKeown persists in his efforts to have future episodes removed.

Lawyers ARE already involved and it may soon be out of my hands legally as far as what happens to NBTV.

In the meantime, trust that I will do whatever it takes to make the episodes available to you, the fans of the show, whether it be on Google, Yahoo, YouTube, VidiLife or elsewhere.

One other thing is being done to rectify this situation. The domains northbayapprentice.com and northbayapprentice.ca have been registered and a website will be erected eventually to host the videos so this problem can never occur again.

Let's hope we can finally put this issue to rest and look forward to the future success of The North Bay Apprentice without fear of sabotage.

Love and thanks,

Randy Ruggles
Executive Producer
The North Bay Apprentice