Internet Video sites, Applications Add New Content, Copyright Filters
YouTube and other video websites are in multiple deals to bring new content online. Meanwhile, MySpace licensed content protection company Audible Magic to provide a filter that will keep users from uploading that content to their MySpace pages.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
A pilot MySpace.com program blocks posting of videos that contain unauthorized copyrighted content, the social network site said Mon. The Audible Magic filter uses digital fingerprinting to identify and block any video found to match an entry in the MySpace database of protected works. Content providers can use the tool to block some or all of their copyrighted work, MySpace said. The process is so fast users won’t notice any lag while a check is made, MySpace told us. While claiming the system avoids false positives, MySpace said it has a complaint mechanism for users who believe their videos have been blocked mistakenly. MySpace also has a content takedown tool copyright owners can use to request removal of unauthorized postings. An audio filter set up last fall to block uploads of unauthorized copyrighted music has been well-received, MySpace said. The site blocks uploads of audio and video containing unauthorized Universal Music Group music. For example, Universal and artists signed to the label can post music and videos for promotional purposes, but fans can’t post such material. NBC/Universal and Fox will participate in the pilot program.
Pressure is high on sites not only to take down or block infringing videos, but to remove support from external sites that host or link to illegal content. Google refuses to host pirated movies, but several major media companies last week accused the company of supporting 2 websites alleged to offer access to them. The Wall St. Journal reported Mon. that Google apologized and promised it wouldn’t happen again.
Nokia and Vodafone users will be able to watch YouTube videos on mobiles, the companies said Fri. YouTube content will be accessible worldwide on the Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map via the soon-to-be-launched YouTube mobile site, with YouTube video RSS feeds available through Nokia Video Center. Meanwhile, Vodafone customers will have daily access to an array of new YouTube videos, Vodafone said. Vodafone users also will be able to search across multiple categories, send video links to friends and family and upload content from mobile phones. The service will launch in the U.K., then expand to other key European markets, it said.
About.com added 500 videos to its site Mon. to enhance its guides on home, vehicles, computers and other topics. About.com Guides and selected experts created the videos for the site. The videos can be viewed on-page, but they're also accessible from external search engines and the About.com video homepage (http://video.about.com). The new video player design allows for pre-roll and billboard ads, plus interactive overlays.
P2P application maker Azureus is partnering with Starz Media to distribute high-resolution, long-form Starz Media videos on Azureus digital media platform Zudeo. Later this year, Street Fighter Alpha, Ghost in the Shell, the first season of series Masters of Horror and other videos in the anime, comedy, sci-fi and horror genres will be available on Azureus.