YouTube blocks Game of Thrones trailer on copyright grounds

There’s no doubt that Game of Thrones is the most pirated TV-show in history, with copyright holders doing all they can to remove infringing copies from the web. However, these efforts can also go too far, something just witnessed by Australian pay TV company Foxtel.

Last year Australian pay TV company Foxtel signed a deal with HBO to become the exclusive provider for Game of Thrones.

This means that the popular TV-show will not be available online through other channels such as iTunes, a decision that may increase local piracy rates.

Foxtel, for their part, sees the move as an important strategy to gain more subscribers. Looking forward to the fifth season of Game of Thrones, which starts this April, the company put up a teaser last Friday.

“We hope you’re hanging onto the edge of your iron throne, because Game of Thrones is back…,” writes Foxtel in an airing schedule announcement.

The article on Foxtel’s official site also includes a copy of the trailer for the fifth season. However, those who try to play the embedded YouTube video are in for a disappointment.

“This video contains content from Home Box Office (Singapore) Pte Ltd, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds,” YouTube notes.

Read full report via Torrent Freak