The Fall of YouTube

Google joins the ranks of forward-thinking companies falling into the DRM trap. Devising a system that protects copyrighted material from being uploaded, they're violating the copyright law that allows people who have purchased a video to loan it and/or use it in other works. Google is probably regretting the YouTube purchase, finding it difficult to make money from the site, and getting cornered by companies looking to protect their product. By implementing this technology, Google is alienating their users, the ones who have always felt they came first in the eyes of the company. They're also weakening the foundation of the video site. We all like to see people singing along to silly songs, and other various home videos, but there's a limit. People want content that is usually copyrighted, and once they can't get it, someone else will provide it for them. Google has effectively taken on the Hollywood role, having to monitor and prevent their audiences from downloading their product for free, and falling victim to Hollywood's power to withhold content from online purveyors who aren't willing to encrypt.

Will YouTube become another Napster? Maybe. There's only so much people are willing to take before they abandon the site, finding another one, and making the once one-stop-shop, irrelevant. I'm not saying it will disappear, but I wouldn't be shocked if it becomes one of many video sites competing for your visits. Like I've said before, you can't give people what they want when they want it and expect to take it away from them. It's just not how it works.

Will EMI Cave?

Some sources say EMI might move to the other side of the DRM issue, offering purchased downloads without that pesty anti-piracy software. Though, this is just a rumor, and the date of announcement is uncertain, if there will be an announcement at all. If it happens, the others will feel the strain and buckle, as well. If any of them are going to scrub off DRM, EMI will certainly be the first, considering the Europeans seem much less tolerant of these restraints. Also, they've already been experimenting with MP3 releases that have resulted in nothing but pleasantry. I would think EMI is racing to the drawing boards to devise some kind of compromise. Hopefully, by crunching the numbers, they'll see that in the long run, they're better off surfing the wave than trying to terminate it. Science says it's impossible, so better adapt. I'd like to see concert ticket sales go up once it happens, just so people can tell them, I told you so. I guess that doesn't help the record companies much, but at least it will keep the rare resistant musician hushed, and the labels' artists happy.