Is this the end of YouTube?

Paul Michael — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:01:26 +0000

GoogleWatch , one of my fav blogs about one of my fav resources, reported today on the $1billion lawsuit served to Google by Viacom . And so did almost every other news network around. I found over 1400 stories on it...this one is big it seems. One of the main rumblings I heard about the YouTube boys selling to Google was fear of a huge lawsuit, which they didn't have the funds to fight, but Google does. Hmmm.

However, what I liked about the GoogleWatch story is the "18 reasons why Google & YouTube Are Guilty of Copyright Infringement." It gives a new perspective on it, and as someone who really loves YouTube (I've found a lot of great videos from my home country on there), it's an eye opener. You can read the complete article on GoogleWatch here , but here are the Top 5 infringements listed.

1: YouTube's value is largely based on infringing works.

2: Google maintains control over YouTube's business, and contributes to YouTube's infringement by syncing Google Video search with YouTube's library.

3: Although individual users are the ones to upload videos, YouTube copies the videos to its servers, indexes the metadata, and creates thumbnails. YouTube then publicly displays and performs the infringing works. The complaint: "Thus, the YouTube conduct that forms the basis of this Complaint is not simply providing storage space, conduits, or other facilities to users who create their own websites with infringing materials. To the contrary, YouTube itself commits the infringing duplication, public performance, and public display of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works, and that infringement occurs on YouTube’s own website, which is operated and controlled by Defendants, not users."

* This is an important point, since Google has argued -- as any ISP or file storage provider would argue -- that they are not liable for illegal actions taken by users, as they are not aware of that activity until notified by a third party.

4: Embedded videos and e-mailing vidoes from YouTube constitute public performance, too.

5: The embedded videos that attract the most users are copyrighted works, and YouTube displays its brand over them.

I sincerely hope YouTube stays around, it's become a top 10 site that I visit. But I suspect this one is going the way of Napster. Power to the people, but only if it's all good and legal, right?

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

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Paul Michael — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:18:22 +0000

When I tell most people that I have a deal that blows Netflix or Blockbuster out of the water, they think I'm all talk. But here's the truth: I can't remember the last time I paid for a DVD movie rental. And it's all thanks to my public library.

I can't say for certain what kind of library resources you have where you are, but here in Colorado they're pretty darned good. And my local library happens to be an excellent resource for hundreds of movies. Now, I can already hear the mutters of discontent. "They're old movies, they only have one copy, they never have the new releases or the movies I want." Yes, and no.

For those of you who plan to use your library like your local Blockbuster or handy online DVD rental site, you'll be disappointed most of the time. When you get to the library, the DVDs left on the shelf are not exactly something to write home about (although let me add, I’ve found some real gems just sitting on the shelves). But I don't just drop in any old time to get mine. I use the online reservation system and I book way ahead. It's that easy, really.

We all know when the DVD releases are due. You can find that information anywhere, including Amazon and any online video store. So, when you know the release date, do a search for that movie on your library's online reservation system. They get all the new releases, usually at least 10-12 copies of the bigger movies between all the branches. Then, simply put a hold on a copy, and your name goes on the list. You'll have to wait a few weeks if you’re not first in line. But are you really that desperate to see it anyway? And besides, it's FREE. Well, okay, it's not really free — your taxes are paying for it. But if you're paying for the service anyway, why not use it?

Moreover, if you get into the habit of doing this, you'll always have new DVD rentals coming to you courtesy of your local library. You keep them a week, or more. And the late fees will not kill you, unlike the sham that is Blockbuster (keep it more than a week and boom, you buy the thing until you return it).

Another great part of the library in my state is something called Prospector. If you can't find the DVD you want, like perhaps it's really obscure or old, then Prospector will search every library in Colorado for you. The price? Nada, again.

Looking for something and no branch in the state has it? Well, order it. Most libraries have funds set aside for buying new materials on customer request. I'm a bit of a Bob Ross painting fan, and my local library ordered a whole series of his instructional DVDs for me for nothing at all. And now many other patrons are enjoying them too.

Maybe you like foreign films. Well, the library has that covered now with a whole section devoted to foreign language films. They have books on CD, soundtracks, anything you could possibly want for your home entertainment. And once again, the price is a big fat zero.

I've always been a fan of the library, but these days I'm more like an addict. I get all the movie rentals and CDs I want. The latest book releases. The best soundtracks. And all on a budget of zilch. Just remember to use the online reservation, book early, and you'll never be disappointed.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

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Is this the end of YouTube?

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