YouTube Rolls Out Antipiracy Filters

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Google, operators of video-hosting site YouTube, revealed on Monday a new filtering system that identifies pirated video as it is uploaded. However, content producers must provide Google with a copy of any video they want blocked off the site.

“We really need the content community to work with us. I would imagine they would be able to prioritize their efforts around their more important assets,” YouTube product manager David King said, indicating that Google expects content producers and movie studios to take a proactive role in helping the company build a comprehensive database of copyrighted material.

According to King, content owners also can specify if they would like videos to be available for posting or used for promoting on other sites. Producers of copyrighted content also can decide if they want advertising to be sold and placed next to video clips.

The system, which was developed by Google, compares video as it is being uploaded, to video abstractions stored in a master database, finds similarities, and then proceeds to either block it from being posted or allow access, depending on the protocol specified by the copyright owner.

The developments come after several individual and media entities have filed suit against YouTube for copyright infringement. In 2006, Los Angeles journalist Robert Tur became the first to file an infringement suit against YouTube after a his copyrighted video of the Reginald Denny beating during the 1992 L.A. riots was posted on the site.

Tur dropped his individual suit this past summer, later joining a class action suit that named Premier League and music publisher Bourne & Co, the National Music Publishers Association, the Rugby Football League, the Finnish Football League Association and author Daniel Quinn as defendants.

In March, multimedia giant Viacom accused YouTube of “massive intentional copyright infringement” and filed a $1 billion infringement suit against the company, alleging that YouTube had “turned a blind eye” to blatant piracy of thousands of video clips belonging to Viacom.

According to YouTube, nine content producers have been tapped to test the new system with only Time-Warner, Disney and CBS willing to be identified publicly as being part of the testing group.

Reportedly, Viacom declined comment when asked if they were also involved in the test.

Viacom did state that the new antipiracy system was unlikely to affect the status of the lawsuit against YouTube, since they are suing for infringements that already had occurred prior to the system being implemented.

However, Viacom general counsel Mike Fricklas said, “We're delighted that Google appears to be stepping up to its responsibility and ending the practice of profiting from infringement.”

Today, in a related story, a group of major media outlets including CBS Corp., News Corp.'s Fox Entertainment Group, NBC Universal, Viacom Inc. and The Walt Disney Company, Microsoft Corp. and the News Corp.-owned MySpace, and video-sharing sites Dailymotion.com and Veoh Networks, released copyright guidelines that they say will be implemented by the end of the year.

The guidelines, which outline a plan that includes high-tech filtering systems, prompt removal of pirated content and promotion of infringement-free digital content, can be viewed at UGCPrincipals.com .

A statement issued by the group may have been aimed at Google — noticeably absent from the group’s members.

“The companies backing these principles believe that they can collectively find a path that fosters creativity while respecting the rights of copyright owners. Distributors of copyright-infringing content stifle both technological innovation and artistic creation in ways that ultimately will hurt the consumer and hinder the digital economy,” the statement read.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Show More