Google may face YouTube copyright battle
After paying $1.6bn for the world's favourite video sharing site this week, Google could be facing copyright problems over some of the site's video content, as content owners take advantage of the search engine giant's deeper pockets.
Media group Time Warner has indicated that it will be pursuing its copyright claims against YouTube with its new owners, and other companies may well choose to follow suit.
Mobile operators launch TV trial in the UK
Four major mobile phone operators yesterday launched trials for a new mobile TV service, which will take place initially in the Bristol area.
The trial, which will run for the next three months, will test whether mobile operators into can use their existing infrastructure to deliver mobile TV and other multimedia services to users with compatible handsets.
Google buys YouTube – conference call extracts
So we know that YouTube is being bought by Google, for a whopping $1.65bn, but what did the Google founders have to say about the YouTube acquisition?
Read choice snippets from today's conference call after the jump...
Battle for YouTube commences - Google vs News Corp?
Michael Arrington has reported a rumour that Google “may be in the final stages” of a US$1.6 billion deal for video sharing behemoth YouTube.
If the rumour is true and the deal goes through it could be another coup for Google, though it might yet turn out to be a big headache for the search giant, as YouTube has some significant issues with regards to copyright and content control.
Nonetheless, YouTube is now a real A-list website among the world's internet users and surely it is just a matter of time before the founders accept an offer. The mooted valuation reflects the company's meteoric growth.
Google, for obvious reasons, told us that it couldn't comment on the rumour either way, as is company policy. YouTube is being reported as keeping schtum too.
Skype founders to compete with YouTube
Skype founders Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom are working on a secretive project which will see them compete with YouTube in the online video market.
The website, currently under the working title of the Venice Project, will aim to combine the video sharing of YouTube with the added attraction of professionally produced TV and video content.
BT signs music deal with Sony BMG
Sony BMG has struck a deal with BT to offer on-demand access to music videos through the telco’s upcoming IPTV service, BT Vision.
Operators in talks over ‘Mobile Bebo’
Bebo is in discussions with mobile operators over the launch of a range of text messaging services in the first quarter of next year.
The companies plan to use SMS to extend Bebo’s functionality onto mobiles, unlike the WAP-based services being developed by some of its rivals.
EU plans are threat to new media firms, says Ofcom
Ofcom has warned that the EU’s proposed Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) directive could force new media companies to relocate outside Europe.
The UK media regulator said research it had commissioned from RAND Europe showed the proposals could “significantly increase regulatory costs and uncertainty” for multimedia firms.
Red Hat develops open source widget-based portal
Linux software maker Red Hat is quietly developing an open source portal that aggregates applications from mainstream sites such as Flickr and Rhapsody, reports Internet Financial News .
Piracy of football coverage hits Premium TV
Premium TV, the company which manages the Premiership and Football League’s online services, has been forced into a security upgrade because of “increasing piracy”.
Social media: the best and worst of 2009
Email marketing: six steps to improving customer engagement in 2010
Web 2.0
Graham Charlton
Strategy & Planning
