[like_any_other]

Unless the scrapers are DDoSing the site, I refuse to consider the downloading of publicly posted data as malicious. It shows how captured the conversation has become by corporate interests, that viewing or storing data posted free of charge, publicly, by their users, in a way not approved by that corporation, is seen as malicious, and the only morally allowed way to view it is to use their spyware-laden client.

[areyourllySorry]

this is also a measure against bots that write, not just those that read

[Scaevolus]

What if the user has disabled downloads of a video? Should the creator (and copyright owner) of a piece of media not be allowed even token attempts to prevent copying?

[ndriscoll]

No because that interferes with fair use. If someone publicly posts a video, everyone has the right to copy it without any permission or awareness from the original author for things like commentary/criticism (it would be silly to require the copyright owner's permission to criticise a work!).

[hoseja]

Here's a great way to prevent people copying your precious video: don't post in on the internet.