In late January and early February, something happened within the Youtube community that truly challenged the nature of Youtube as a platform for entertainment
. The Fine Brothers made an announcement video announcing the creation of ReactWorld, a company that offers the license to creators for them to begin creating their own ‘React’ videos. For those who have somehow not heard of the Fine Brothers, they are one of the most successful channels in the history of Youtube and are the minds behind the React franchise. Essentially, they film videos in which people, from kids to other Youtube stars, react to things happening in the world or interesting videos found online. Apparently, the world really enjoys watching other people watching videos, because they have quickly exploded and established a complete lineup of React videos, all of which are extremely popular. As with all things popular, the imitations and copycats soon began appearing across Youtube, people trying to take advantage of the Fine Brothers success. In response to this the Fine Brothers began to set up legal protection for themselves, this culminated in the creation of ReactWorld.
The outrage from the YouTube community was immediate and fierce; hundreds if not thousands of people bombasted the Fine Brothers and ReactWorld, their anger stemming from the idea that the React Brothers would offer licensing to the fact that they filled a trademark on ‘React’. 
From the largest channels, such as the DeFranco show, to channels with not even 10 subscribers, everyone wanted a piece of the two brothers. They lamented over the fact that YouTube was losing its creative liberties, that it was becoming a corporation-controlled entity akin to television, that the spirit of the internet was dying. I am a supporter of the free web; I believe that the internet is a place which allows any and all people to come together and share their ideas. I agree that the internet ought to stay free from the control of a massive capitalistic corporation. But this fiasco with the Fine Brothers was absolutely ridiculous, plain and simple. The people of the community argue against corporate control, but they do not see the hypocrisy in themselves enforcing their ideals upon the Fine Brothers. And frankly, ReactWorld was blown out of proportion way further than it should have. Yes, the Fine Brothers wanted to make a franchise out of their ‘React’ series, yes, they wanted to trademark the ‘React’ name, but how does that actually impact the YouTube community as a whole?