Brothers Benny and
Rafi Fine make "reaction videos" in which people are shown clips or
presented with objects and respond.
They had accumulated
more than 14 million subscribers.
But this week they
ran into trouble after announcing a licensing scheme called React World, which
would force other users to share ad revenue in return for using the
"react" title, and assets like graphics and music.
They filed an application to trademark terms including
"Kids React", "Adults React", and "Celebrities
React", as well as the word "react" itself.
The
filing said this would cover "programmes and webisodes via the internet in
the field of observing and interviewing various groups of people".
The
plan sparked a backlash which led to their subscriber numbers dropping
suddenly.
As
a result, the pair performed a dramatic U-turn on Tuesday morning, rescinding
all "react" trademarks and applications.
They
said in a blog post that their intentions were "pure" but
acknowledged that viewers had valid concerns.
It
read: "We realise we built a system that could easily be used for wrong.
We are fixing that.
"The
reality that trademarks like these could be used to theoretically give
companies (including ours) the power to police and control online video is a
valid concern, and though we can assert our intentions are pure, there’s no way
to prove them."
The
brothers have previously had videos that copy their format removed from
YouTube.
The
post added that "it makes perfect sense for people to distrust our motives
here" but said they will regain their viewers' trust.