Associated Press Apologizes: “Our Bad”

The Associated Press apologized today for one of the most embarrassing mishaps in recent memory where they basically yelled at and threatened themselves.

The Associated Press has now backed down and apologized.  They will also allow the videos in question to be reuploaded.

The A.P. also issued me a statement saying that a cease-and-desist letter was never drafted.

An Associated Press exec delivered his warning to the radio station via e-mail, which really had the same effect as a formal C&D letter.

“This was a misunderstanding that has mushroomed into something else entirely,” said an A.P. spokesperson.

Here is the complete official statement:

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.

Wow. So basically, "Why are you using our free YouTube channel when you COULD be using OVN?"

It doesn't get any better than that.

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• Get Your Associated Press Videos! Possibly Even If They Send Me A Letter. (areyouscreening.com)
• The AP's War on the Web Reaches New Heights of Incompetence (gawker.com)

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