February 8, 2010
UK. Digital Economy Bill bill could 'breach rights'
An influential group of MPs and peers has said the government's approach to illegal file-sharing could breach the rights of internet users.
[via the BBC]
Libya bans YouTube
Libya is banning YouTube and other Web sites used to disseminate messages against the regime. The Jerusalem Post reports.
Libya’s crackdown on YouTube, independent news sites and at least seven opposition Web sites based abroad is drawing criticism from human rights organizations.
The moves, which began last month, have been labeled a “disturbing step away from press freedom” and are being condemned by bloggers and activists alike.
Read full article. Image from Technolibya.
February 7, 2010
Super Bowl Commercials on YouTube adblitz
YouTube announced the launch of its Super Bowl ad channel at youtube.com/adblitz, a one-stop shop for everything Super Bowl-related. YouTube partners have been busy making predictions, cooking up party recipes and generally dishing on all things related the big game:
During the game, YouTube will be adding all the 2010 Super Bowl commercials to a video wall on the AdBlitz channel immediately after they air on TV.
The top rated commercial will be featured on the YouTube homepage on Thursday February 18th.
[via Mashable]
February 6, 2010
Your Big Screen Super Bowl Party May Be Illegal
Super Bowl fans may have something to worry about after reading this post by an Ars Technica writer, who ponders whether watching the Super Bowl on a TV 55-inches or larger is committing a federal offense.
There are other factors that matter like whether the games are shown in a large public gathering place. So most super bowl watching fans should be safe.
[via Switched]
Aussie ISP battles Hollywood and wins
The giants of the film industry have lost their case against an Australian ISP in a landmark judgement handed down in the country's Federal Court today. Stuff reports.
But after an on-and-off eight week trial that examined whether ISP iiNet authorised customers to download pirated movies, Justice Dennis Cowdroy found that the ISP was not liable for the downloading habits of its customers.
Read full article.
February 5, 2010
Australian 'nude photos' banker gains web support
Update: A banker to keep his job
Campaigns to save the job of an Australian banker who became a YouTube sensation after being caught viewing erotic images of model Miranda Kerr in the background of a live TV interview, are growing on the internet. The BBC reports.
He turned around part way through, apparently in surprise, fuelling speculation that he was the victim of a practical joke.
There are reports that Mr Kiely was deliberately sent an email containing the images and opened it unwittingly, before being told to look round, with the broadcast still in progress.
Read full article.
February 4, 2010
Re-enactment video of same-sex marriage trial up on YouTube
The first re-enactment episode of a federal trial concerning same-sex marriage in California, whose proceedings were blacked out by the U.S. Supreme Court, aired Monday,on marriagetrial.com and YouTube. The Los Angeles Times Blog reports.
Related:
-- Gay Marriage Trial Coming to YouTube as a Reenactment
-- Supreme Court blocks YouTube from Calif.'s Prop. 8 trial
Italy preparing to hold YouTube, others liable for uploads
User-generated content sites have always resisted the idea that they should be regulated like traditional broadcasters, but Italy has been the democracy that has gone furthest in that direction. The move toward regulation continues with a new policy that could force sites like YouTube to obtain TV licenses from the Italian government. Such sites could also be fully liable for copyright infringement and libelous or illegal material posted by users.
Read full article in arstechnica.
Previously:
-- Italy's Berlusconi backs legislation to screen content on YouTube
February 3, 2010
Mayor Bloomberg launches "Job Hunt" TV series on NYC life
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, NYC Media President Katherine Oliver and Small Business Services Commissioner Robert W. Walsh yesterday announced the premiere of “Job Hunt,” a new ten-part series airing on NYC life. he show offers expert advice about navigating the job market and highlights New Yorkers taking advantage of the City’s Workforce1 Career Centers and NYC Business Solution Centers.
Each week on “Job Hunt,” a panel of experts and recruiters share tips on resume building, interview skills, and landing a new job. After the February 2 premiere – “You Just Lost Your Job, Now What?” – upcoming episodes will cover a wide range of topics, including advice for jobseekers over 40, college graduates, veterans and people with disabilities, among others.
[via e-mail press release]
January 30, 2010
'Striker' first Indian film to premier on YouTube internationally
Bollywood movie 'Striker', which is based on a true story about a carrom player from Mumbai's ghettos, is set to become the first Indian movie to be released Internationally on YouTube, simultaneously with it theatrical release on February 5. The Times of India reports.
The innovative step is seen as a way to promote films that are high on content but low on star value and don't get a chance to release theatrically in overseas markets, said a statement from the producers.
In the US, 'Striker' will be available for rent on YouTube while in other countries the film will be available for free on Studio18's YouTube channel.
It is an attempt to reach a wider audience through online release and help curb piracy.
Read full article.
January 28, 2010
EU to assess piracy detection software
The software in question is called CView and will be used by ISP Virgin Media to identify legal versus illegal traffic on its network.
Read full article in the BBC.
January 27, 2010
Apple iPad: Books, Magazines, Movies and Music
The Apple iPad will redefine newspapers, textbooks, magazines. Is Apple bringing a media revolution? Check it out on Gizmodo.
Piracy letter campaign 'nets innocents'
More than 150 people have approached consumer publication Which? Computing claiming to have been wrongly targeted in crackdowns on illegal file-sharing. The BBC reports.
Which? says it has been approached by some - including a 78 year-old accused of downloading pornography - who have no knowledge of the alleged offence.
Read full article.
Fake version of YouTube launches in China
As the Google-China face-off spirals and even entangles President Obama, one Chinese computer whiz adds to the fray by creating a fake version of YouTube. That simultaneously violates Google’s intellectual property and China’s strict censorship.
YouTube to show Lionsgate/Massify incubator films
Lionsgate studio and online talent network Massify said Tuesday that YouTube will be the primary distributor for short films produced by their partnership.
[via MSN money]
Obama's State of the Union Speech live on YouTube
On Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver his State of the Union speech, which will be broadcast live on YouTube's CitizenTube channel as well as on The White House's brand new iPhone app.
This year's State of the Union speech will also make history. It will be the first time that citizens will have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions during the speech -- and to hear the president's response to those questions.
During the live broadcast of the State of the Union on Citizentube, YouTube will open up a Moderator series for anyone to submit questions for the president in video or in text.
Over the following few days, you'll be able to submit additional questions and vote on your favorites too. Then next week, YouTube will bring some of your top-voted questions to the president in a YouTube interview from the White House, which will also broadcast live on Citizentube.
[via YouTube Blog and The Washington Post]
January 26, 2010
Internet TV service SeeSaw launches beta trial
SeeSaw, a new online TV service offering both catch-up and archive programmes, is launching a trial in the UK. The BBC reports.
Ultimately the site will run offer both free and pay-per-view services.
Read full article.
January 23, 2010
Italy's Berlusconi Backs Legislation to Screen YouTube Content
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government is backing legislation that would mandate that videos uploaded by users to sites like YouTube and Dailymotion be screened for pornography or excessive violence before being approved, reports DMW DigitalMedia Wire.
Read full article.
Related: - Italy Proposes "Uploader's License"
January 22, 2010
YouTube Turning A Profit? Eric Schmidt "Assumes" It Is
A week ago Doug Anmuth of Barclays said YouTube would be profitable this year on $700 million in revenue.
... When asked specifically if YouTube is profitable, Eric Schmdit gives the FT this wishy-washy answer: "I’d assume so, yes."
January 21, 2010
YouTube to charge $5 for five Sundance Films
On Friday YouTube will offer five films from the 2009 and 2010 Sundance Film Festival for a fee around $5 . It's a way, YouTube says, to bring more exposure to independent films. But it's also a test to see if viewers will pay for content, YouTube says.
[via USA Today]
IRS Utilizes YouTube To Help Taxpayers
The IRS has launched a new channel on YouTube offering tax payers dozens of videos with information about new credits and deductions, as well as other changes in the tax law.
The videos feature IRS employees and are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
[via WBKO]
January 20, 2010
Gay Marriage Trial Coming to YouTube as a Reenactment
In its January 13, 2010 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the public broadcasting of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, a U.S. District Court case challenging the constitutional validity of California Proposition 8.
Working from partial transcripts and first-hand accounts from bloggers who are present at the trial, production company JIP will re-create the trial proceedings and post them at marriagetrial.com, for public viewing and on YouTube.
California film maker John Ireland put together a cast of 25 volunteer actors through a casting call on the SAG-approved casting network, then used partial transcripts from the trial and blogs reports to put together a script.
Expected debut: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Press release and article in NBC Bay Area
Previously:
-- Supreme Court blocks YouTube from Calif.'s Prop. 8 trial
-- Prop. 8 trial will be shown on YouTube
