Learn from the mistakes of others

YouTube 'can sell videos it hosts'
Louisa Hearn (July 24, 2006 - 10:45AM)

The YouTube video sharing site has been much celebrated as a free ride to virtual stardom for the uninhibited masses, but a recent redraft of the small-print terms and conditions has added a slightly sour note into the mix.

Although most users of the US-based free video hosting site founded last year might be oblivious to recent changes in its terms, a number of US blogs and news sites have seized on the issue, claiming that the new conditions give YouTube the freedom to sell any creative content that it hosts to any format or channel.

Although those who have posted clips to satisfy exhibitionist urges rather than serious commercial aspirations might think the issue does not apply to them, comments posted to the Boing Boing blog point out that, under the new terms, they might one day see their unique interpretation of the duck dance being used in a television advert without either their consent or knowledge.

While some watchers say YouTube has created the conditions only to protect itself from the re-use by external sources of any material posted there, others believe it could pave the way for new commercial revenue streams, particularly if the company were taken over by a large media group.

Terms of Use are pretty important. We never read them, but they can be very important. This, however, is not the first, and will not be the last, of this kind of upheaval regarding Internet and legal stuff.

YouTube 'can sell videos it hosts'
Louisa Hearn (July 24, 2006 - 10:45AM)

The YouTube video sharing site has been much celebrated as a free ride to virtual stardom for the uninhibited masses, but a recent redraft of the small-print terms and conditions has added a slightly sour note into the mix.

Although most users of the US-based free video hosting site founded last year might be oblivious to recent changes in its terms, a number of US blogs and news sites have seized on the issue, claiming that the new conditions give YouTube the freedom to sell any creative content that it hosts to any format or channel.

Although those who have posted clips to satisfy exhibitionist urges rather than serious commercial aspirations might think the issue does not apply to them, comments posted to the Boing Boing blog point out that, under the new terms, they might one day see their unique interpretation of the duck dance being used in a television advert without either their consent or knowledge.

While some watchers say YouTube has created the conditions only to protect itself from the re-use by external sources of any material posted there, others believe it could pave the way for new commercial revenue streams, particularly if the company were taken over by a large media group.

Terms of Use are pretty important. We never read them, but they can be very important. This, however, is not the first, and will not be the last, of this kind of upheaval regarding Internet and legal stuff.

Today is a good day for all kinds of outdoor activity, Steven. If you can, take the day off from any kind of constraining indoor activity. You are more likely to be in the mood to work in the yard. You might get some ideas for some creative landscaping. Or maybe you'll decide to take a trip to the nursery and invest in some now greenery. You might decide to go for a long nature hike. Or you might enjoy a nice bike ride. Get outside and soak up some positive earth energy!

i spent today inside. actually, technically, i'm still in yesterday. no sleepy.

what i did do was pull together an outline of legal issues relating to website development for a friend.

yeah. that's my kind of thing.

oh, and i'll get paid too. gotta go with that.

Today is a good day for all kinds of outdoor activity, Steven. If you can, take the day off from any kind of constraining indoor activity. You are more likely to be in the mood to work in the yard. You might get some ideas for some creative landscaping. Or maybe you'll decide to take a trip to the nursery and invest in some now greenery. You might decide to go for a long nature hike. Or you might enjoy a nice bike ride. Get outside and soak up some positive earth energy!

i spent today inside. actually, technically, i'm still in yesterday. no sleepy.

what i did do was pull together an outline of legal issues relating to website development for a friend.

yeah. that's my kind of thing.

oh, and i'll get paid too. gotta go with that.