AP Apology: YouTube Cease-and-Desist to WTNQ-FM Tennessee Mistake

by Tina Kells | April 9, 2009 at 07:59 am

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AP has reached out to affiliate radio station WTNQ-FM in Tennessee to say sorry after a misunderstanding over some YouTube video footage. AP was rumored to have sent WTNQ-FM a cease-and-desist letter after the radio station embedded footage from the AP YouTube channel on its website.

Frank Strovel III and WTNQ-FM made headlines when the cease-and-desist rumors first broke and has been in talks with AP ever since. Strovel claims he never wanted to get into a public squabble with the AP and is happy to accept the apology.

The AP is now claiming that the entire incident was blown out of proportion by the media and that no cease-and-desist letter was ever drafted or sent.

Frank Strovel III, who was negotiating with the AP, told BNO News that he wasn’t looking to ‘bring down’ the Associated Press or make himself a martyr. “In fact, I’m not exactly thrilled that it’s blown up the way it has.”

Thursday afternoon, the Associated Press’ radio station representative called Mr. Strovel to apologize saying that they regretted that their initial email sounded like a literal cease-and-desist. Frank said that he was mortified that the news had spread to big-name blogs and media pundits. He stated that “I wasn’t looking for a fight. I was just incredulous at their ‘logic’ of posting their videos on YouTube with embed codes and then slapping people on the wrist for doing just that.”

The AP released a statement on the matter: “There was a misunderstanding of YouTube usage when the Tennessee radio station was contacted by the Associated Press regarding the AP’s more extensive online video services. No cease and desist letter was drafted or sent by AP to the station at any time. The AP was trying to offer the station a superior service for their needs.”