A VICE news article "Black TikTokers are Tired of Not Getting Paid for the moves you stole" by Lea Zora Scruggs and Arlissa Norman sheds light on the unfortunate reality that many Black TikTokers face when their dances go viral without proper credit or compensation. TikTok stars like Addison Rae and Charlie D’Amelio have turned the choreography of Black TikTokers into lucrative careers, but often don't credit the creators. This is where CAMRIGHTS comes in. Our patented CAMRIGHTS technology provides a tamper-proof, verifiable method for capturing, sharing, and protecting visual content, ensuring that the creators of viral dances are properly credited and compensated for their work.
As social media platforms continue to dominate the digital world, visual content creators are increasingly vulnerable to theft and infringement. The rise of platforms like TikTok has given rise to a new breed of influencers who make their living by creating and sharing viral dance moves. However, all too often, the creators of these dances, many of whom are Black TikTokers, are not given the credit or financial compensation they deserve.
In the case of Jalaiah Harmon, who, at just 14 years old, created the viral "Renegade" dance. Despite being the creator of the dance, Harmon was not initially given credit by TikTok stars Addison Rae and Charlie D'Amelio, who went on to profit from their performances of the dance on the platform and to be even featured on popular night shows. The lack of credit and financial compensation for Black TikTokers has prompted many to speak out and even go on strike. However, the problem of visual content theft and infringement extends far beyond the realm of TikTok dance moves. In a survey conducted by the Image Protect, a digital content protection company, they found that over 85% of visual content on the internet is used without permission, with only 3% of infringing websites taking down the content when notified. The same study also estimated that visual content piracy results in a loss of $8 billion in revenue for content creators annually.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the visual content on over 5.1 billion smartphones and tablets remains unsecured. This leaves content creators, businesses, and governments vulnerable to theft and misuse. As the number of smartphone and tablet users continues to grow, the problem is only expected to get worse. According to a study by the US Chamber of Commerce, counterfeiting and piracy cost the US economy approximately $29 billion each year. With the rise of social media, these numbers are expected to increase significantly. CAMRIGHTS provides a solution for businesses to protect their visual content and prevent it from being stolen and misused, ultimately safeguarding their bottom line.
In addition to businesses and brands, governments also face significant challenges with the theft and misuse of visual content. From surveillance footage to official documents and images, governments are vulnerable to copyright infringement and security breaches. CAMRIGHTS provides a secure platform for governments to capture, store, and protect their visual content, ensuring the safety and confidentiality of sensitive information.
Fortunately, there is a solution on the way that could help to address the problem. Set to be released in late 2024, CAMRIGHTS is a platform that provides end-to-end solutions for content creators, businesses, and governments. From capturing visual content to protecting and monetizing it, CAMRIGHTS is designed to be the only platform users need to capture, secure, and monetize their visual content.
As JaQuel Knight, the first choreographer to successfully copyright his work, said to Vice News "there's nothing to protect the creators of those 15-second TikTok dances." But with CAMRIGHTS, we aim to change that. Our CAMRIGHTS technology allows users to secure their content from the point of capture to monetization, using our patented advanced technologies, AI, and blockchain technology, which creates a unique and immutable record of the content, providing the evidence needed to prove ownership in a legal dispute.
Ken Poindexter Jr, Inventor and Founder of CAMRIGHTS believes that "it's our mission to empower visual content creators like these young talented dancers to take control of their work and protect their intellectual property. We believe that every creator deserves recognition and compensation for their hard work, and we are committed to providing them with the tools and support they need to achieve this. The case of Jalaiah Harmon and Keara Wilson is just one example of the pervasive problem of content theft and misuse, and it is our hope that CAMRIGHTS can help prevent such injustices from happening in the future."
CAMRIGHTS supports and empowers young, talented dancers by protecting their visual content and ensuring that they receive proper credit and compensation for their work. As JaQuel Knight said, "we need a system that looks after you, and has your back. That's the type of system we need." CAMRIGHTS is that system, providing a solution to the copyright issues that have plagued Black TikTokers, businesses and other content creators for too long.