YouTube Blog

"We are pleased to report that Viacom, MTV and other litigants have backed off their original demand for all users' viewing histories and we will not be providing that information."

I'm glad to hear this. I really don't think they knew what to do with the bad PR. Maybe this will hinder other companies (RIAA) from making the same mistake...

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/google-will-protect-users-ident...

Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video -- Publications -- Center for Social Media at American University

This document is a code of best practices that helps creators, online providers, copyright holders, and others interested in the making of online video interpret the copyright doctrine of fair use. Fair use is the right to use copyrighted material without permission or payment under some circumstances.

I like the principles but will the big wigs accept it? It does explain why some shirts are blurred in music videos. They did not receive permission to advertise the logos and it was not a spur of the moment video shoot. Anything accidentally shown can be put under fair use. The BIG point is that copyrighted material should be ok when it is for a "Discussion" or instruction. Hmmm, going by this should get You Tube off the hook with Viacom. Right?

YouTube data to be released, but Google keeps technology secret | OUT-LAW.COM

"Users of YouTube will have their access details handed over to entertainment giant Viacom and the English football Premier League after a US judge ordered the disclosure of a 12 terabyte database."

Whoa! That's a lot of Bytes! More importantly, That's a lot of personal info transferring from one hand to another different hand. From a trusting,nurturing hand to a cold corporate hand. From a "we respect your privacy man" to a...well, you get the picture. Hopefully there won't be any "oops" or "lost laptop full of our info" stories anytime soon.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/14/googleviacom-agree-to-preserve-user...
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/the-privacy-risk-from-the-court...