The Associated Press reported this week that the deals YouTube made with the major recording companies (Warner Music Group, Vivendi's Universal Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment) include conditions that well could bring the viral video era to a premature close, according to the Toronto Star.
Evidently what has happened is YouTube will be required to "install new audio-signature technology that can detect a low-quality copy of a licensed music video or other content. YouTube would have to substitute an approved version of the clip or take the material down automatically."
The result of this condition has the potential to disrupt the flow of online video. While the approval of copyright owners is known to be part of the mix, the way this is being handled could change the entire free-flowing culture that has made YouTube what it is.
Do you think that the audio-signature technology will put an end to the user-experience that they have enjoyed so much?
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