Why is Resistance to YouTube Futile?
Visited 1850 Times Published by Rico June 4th, 2007 in Internet, Rico's Ramblings, TV, Tech, Video and Why.Too late, old media. YouTube is here to stay, despite your (sometimes seemingly well-grounded) lawsuits. The fact remains that even if many of YouTube’s visitors upload copyright-infringing videos, the online video service isn’t actively encouraging infringement. It quickly takes down any offending content when asked to do so. Not to mention under US law, a service provider that doesn’t encourage illegal behavior isn’t responsible for what its users do.
And maybe the legality aspect is moot. That’s because big-time copyright-holders like CBS, NBC, and the NBA are willingly uploading content onto the site. Let’s also not forget that when Google bought YouTube, it quietly set aside millions of dollars to fund any legal conflicts it would face.
So you now have two options:
- If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Just go with the flow and take full advantage of YouTube, posting compelling snippets that will keep the viewers hooked on your primary moneymakers, a la Heroes.
- Compete. So you don’t want anyone else cutting in on your piece of the action. Fair enough. Just create a competing service. This is admittedly an uphill battle, because the only way to influence natural human behavior is to offer something that truly better at filling the market’s needs.
One thing’s for sure. Since YouTube is well-funded, your usual option of threatening violators with messy and costly lawsuits just won’t work. You’ll be going against someone enjoying deep pockets, tremendous popularity (#4 on Alexa as of this writing), and the backing of big companies. At the same time, you’ll look like someone still stuck in the past, trying to cling onto old media models while the world moves forward.
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Things are moving pretty fast in the online video industry. I have not followed it much. Even as a kid, the ‘moving picture’ medium was not much of a appeal to me if it were not for the top notch content by Discovery and NG.
And lately, I sometimes forget for weeks that there is TV at home. But as I said, in the online video industry many things are happening - and as they say it is a very volatile industry.
Sometimes, you will be surprised at the outcome when things stabilize. It usually is not what you expect or not even the exact opposite. It will be some where in between but that too is very unpredictable.
Copyright infringement reining free is at one end, and total control of the video content is at the other. The outcome would be somewhere in between - I will not bet my money on any scenario.
Yep, nothing is set on stone. But I think YouTube has a good chance of succeeding, since it has the backing of some establishment members. Then again, you never know…
Grammar nitpick: your post title has two verbs. :p
YouTube and its like will redefine copyright and fair use. Just like what the VCR and the Betamax did in the 80s. The CD in the 70s. The TV did in the 20s. The radio in the 1890s. And so on. It is futile.
No Eugene, that isn’t a nitpick. “Why is Resistance to YouTube is Futile?” is a tremendous mistake!
I thank you dearly, and I’ve fixed the title.
I sometimes wonder if the big companies know what they’re doing, fighting the change until they can mold it to their favor. Maybe the same thing will happen to YouTube?
isn’t youtube banned in your office?
Not at home.