YouTube targets piracy
Posted by Katia Pereria on 26 Oct 2007 at 11:04 am | Tagged as: Hot off the Press, Social Media
YouTube released a Video Identification tool last week. This move will help kerb the increasing piracy issues that YouTube faces on a regular basis. Finally, a concrete policy on Video piracy is in the pipelines.
According to Dan King from YouTube:
The system works by creating a database full of abstract images of copyrighted videos that are then matched with videos that are uploaded to YouTube.
YouTube is currently working with Google to filter its technology of identifying the ownership of videos uploaded in YouTube. They are giving video content owners the ability to manage their videos, and the choice on what to do with these Videos once they have been properly identified.
Content owners can block their material from getting viewed, promote it even further or partner with Google to make some extra money. The idea is that by instilling this level of security and privacy, the whole user experience will be enhanced, thus achieving YouTube’s goal of providing a great user experience while on the site.
A tracking algorithm being referred to as a “fingerprint” is to be imprinted on video media for its video systems affecting Google video as well as YouTube. This finger printing system leaves small pixels that will eventually be added to create a unique identifier.
YouTube has promised to take a unique “hash” of every video removed for copyright infringement and block the re-upload of that exact video file . There is also a strict repeat-infringer policy, which has been in place since the launch, which terminates the accounts of these culprits.
There is a 10 minute limit on all videos uploaded, and once they’re uploaded an electronic notification and takedown tool is sent to the content owners. Content owners can then identify their material and thus notify YouTube to take it down with the click of a mouse if they are unhappy.
In addition to this facility, copyright tips will be published for users in plain English with clear prominent messaging at the time of user upload.
This is certainly a positive step in the right direction for YouTube as well as for Google, especially now while privacy concerns are being targeted across the online board. Google is finally stepping up to its responsibility by committing to support new forms of original creativity and promoting fair use. About time!
