TV Networks YouTube Clone Has Bigger Problems Than Antitrust Concerns
from the the-justice dept
There continues to be a lot of talk about the rumor that the various TV networks might build their own version of YouTube, a place to showcase their own content, that allows them to retain control as well as all revenue associated with the site. There are plenty of reasons to think this is a bad idea, not the least of which is the fact that a tightly controlled version of YouTube would violate that which makes YouTube popular in the first place. IP Democracy has taken a look at some of the relevant case law, to see if such a plan might run afoul with antitrust regulators. It appears the issue would come down to exclusivity. When the movie studios tried to create their own rival to HBO, it was deemed to be in violation, because the studios wanted to withhold content from HBO. More recently, the studios' misadventure into film downloads, Movielink, was given the green light, because there were no plans to make it an exclusive shop. So it may all depend on what the TV networks actually have in mind for the new site. It's hard to imagine that they'd launch such a site, but still allow their shows to be posted on YouTube. Then again, they'd probably make the argument that an unlicensed copy (of a show) posted on YouTube constitutes a copyright violation, a position that would probably hold up legally. Of course, if the networks were to keep all the content on their own sites, not allow embedding, and encumber it with DRM, then we fully expect the market to deal them an adequate punishment, with no help needed from the government. Network lawyers may be studying closely the legal implication of such a plan, but a possible antitrust case should probably be low on their list of concerns.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
But, if I need to download and install one plugin I don't already have, forget it!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Its a great idea
Whats the problem ?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
YouTube Rules`
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Good for them
However, I Digg this story -1, it's moderately interesting but it isn't a technology story. It's a story about lawyers and unfathomable laws
which have no basis in reality. I have no interest in the machinations of ill informed legal commentators and their arbitary pontifications. I do not believe the law and lawyers have any place in technological advancement. The function of lawyers is only to impede progress, not to promote it, and as such they are the mortal enemies of progressive
ideology. Keeping law out of technology is as important as keeping politics and religion out of science.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Web 3.D
(Web 3.D ® Copyright © Anonymous Bum 2006. All rights reserved)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I got it!
Take that, me!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]