YouTube is all over the news because of the smackdown delivered by Viacom demanding them to take down 100,000 videos over copyright issues. (Some of the properties include MTV Networks, Comedy Central, BET, and VH-1.) This after Viacom apparently got fed up with Google's way of negotiating over some way to divy up the revenue pie. Of course that's becoming more and more the American Way these days. Side note: Amazing how the lawyers always make out in these deals and the competing sides get messy PR reps.
Also of interest here is that CNET is reporting that several companies are taking a YouTube approach to SuperBowl advertising, attempting to challenge the almost ritualistic Super Bowl ad mania through a viral effort. I'm not sure how that will all shake out but it certainly is interesting seeing that the Super Bowl ads run during the game will probably be on YouTube soon after they are aired.
The Google YouTube story is one that is far from being told in its entirety and it is certainly entertaining to watch from the sidelines, as it jumbles up all of the assumptions that have existed for decades. The deeper we get into it, the more I feel like we are witnessing some sort of Pandora's Box like fairy tale with a potential anarchic outcome.
On a somewhat personal note though, GottaBeMobile recently started posting some of our shorter InkShows on YouTube and we've seen a few of those record skyrocketing viewership.
Fascinating, simply fascinating.
