Statement on False Copyright Claims Over the Full "Bridge Guy" Video

On March 12, 2025, this website released the full 43-second unedited video recorded on Liberty German’s iPhone 6S, widely known as the Bridge Guy video. This was done in the interest of transparency and public access to evidence that had been kept from the public for too long.

Shortly after its release, the video spread widely, used by YouTubers, livestreamers, and analysts across platforms. That’s exactly what was hoped for: open public discussion.

But then something strange happened.

Copyright Claims by Gray Television/WNDU

Several YouTube creators who shared or commented on the video began receiving copyright claims (not strikes) from Gray Television Group, Inc. on behalf of WNDU 16 News, an Indiana TV station.

These claims cover the entire 43 seconds of the footage and incorrectly assert that WNDU owns the rights to it.

But here’s the truth:

WNDU/Gray Television does not own this video.

The footage was recorded by Liberty German herself, and it became a public court exhibit. No news station created or owns the content.

What Likely Happened

• WNDU uploaded the full video to YouTube shortly after it was released on this site.
• YouTube’s automated copyright system ("Content ID") then mistakenly began treating their re-upload as the "original," allowing WNDU/Gray to claim ownership across YouTube.
• This is a misuse of the system, even if unintentional. It has led to false claims against legitimate, good-faith use of public evidence.

Why This Matters

This mistake has caused:

• Suppression of public discussion
• Confusion about ownership
• Unjustified control of a public exhibit by a private broadcaster

It also risks feeding unnecessary conspiracy theories, when in reality, this looks like a case of automated copyright enforcement gone wrong, enabled by a station uploading content they didn’t create.

The reason the video was released on a fully-controlled website rather than for example on YouTube was to avoid situations where inappropriate use of strikes and complaints could suppress an important trial exhibit from being seen by the public.

What You Can Do

If you are a YouTube creator and have received a copyright claim:

• Dispute it. Note that the video is public, was not created by WNDU, and was released as a court exhibit.
• Reference the public release date (March 12, 2025) and include a link to the original source (https://rickallenjustice.com/transparency).

We’re also contacting Gray Television and WNDU directly to request they remove the claims and stop asserting ownership over evidence that belongs to no broadcaster.

Let’s keep the facts (and the exhibits) in public hands - where they belong.