Google Readies Platform for Video Distribution

Eric writes "According to BetaNews, 'Google is preparing a video distribution platform that provides a complete ecosystem of services for content producers, publishers and end-users.' The first phase of its video upload program rolled out today, and 'content owners will be able to control distribution rights themselves, even setting a price for their video clips. Eventually, users will be able to search, preview, purchase and play videos directly from within Google.'"

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[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure everyone on Slashdot has one by now, so use it to skip the sign up process.

Google Uploader

[boredMDer]

The Google Uploader app (https://upload.video.google.com/Google%20Video%20 Uploader%20Installer.exe) is, of course, Windows only.

I wonder how long before someone makes a third party tool to do this on Linux/Mac?

From TFFAQ

[GillBates0]

https://upload.video.google.com/video_faq.html

# Can I charge for playback of my video?

Yes. Or you can allow users to play your video for free. This is totally up to you and your video distribution goals. As the content owner, you decide whether you'd like to give away your video for free or charge a price that you set for it. If you do charge a price, Google will take a small revenue share to cover some of our costs.

# How is my content protected?

Google takes the security of your content very seriously. We've put a number of measures in place to prevent copying or sharing of your content. For more information on our copyright policies and procedures, please read the Copyright section of this FAQ.

Re:hmm

[jarich]

is google answering a question nobody asked?

???

Have you looked at the BitTorrents or P2P networks lately?

The question is being asked millions of times a day. No one's had a good answer yet, but the question is being asked.

Profit for Google!

[breakinbearx]

1) Allow people to sell their videos through service.
2)...
3) Profit!

In the TOS, if you decide to charge for your google video, they will pay you only up to 70% of gross income. If it costs more to host, they will deduct more. For a free service, it rocks, but as a method for commercial distro, it seems kind of pricey.

TOS

[BenBenBen]

'content owners will be able to control distribution rights themselves, even setting a price for their video clips.'

From the TOS:

By accepting this Agreement and uploading Your Authorized Content to Google, you are directing and authorizing Google to, and granting Google a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive right and license to, host, cache, route, transmit, store, copy, distribute, perform, display, reformat, excerpt, analyze, and create algorithms based on the Authorized Content

Don't be evil?

[uttaddmb]

Be careful with the TOS, though. Most of the stuff is the standard Draconian crap (i.e., "we can do whatever we want with your stuff"), but most notable is this bit: "If You have not designated a price for Your Authorized Content and We incur extraordinary costs and expenses in hosting, indexing and displaying Your Authorized Content, we may charge a fee in order to defray these costs." So if you release a popular free video, Google may charge you for the bandwidth? I'll stick with Ourmedia for the free media distribution, thanks.

Types of video accepted

[LoverOfJoy]

From https://upload.video.google.com/video_faq.html#ove rview4

"What types of videos are you accepting?

We accept any type of video content, with these restrictions:

* You must own all necessary rights to the content, including copyrights toboth the video and the audio.
* You must be able to upload the video to us electronically.
* The video must not contain pornographic or obscene material.

The content may be reviewed prior to being made available online. If we cannot use it, we'll let you know."

Reminds me of EPIC

[mejesster]

There's this neat little flash animation called EPIC, about the future of Google. It's been around for a little while now and is eerily accurate. You can find it here: http://www.robinsloan.com/epic/

Windows Only

[saddino]

Google provides an application (the Google Video Uploader) to upload video content to their servers. As expected, the program is Windows only. So, I guess Google wants your video, as long as you're not a Mac or Linux user. ;-)

Interestingly, all of Google's desktop applications are all Windows only. Given their hiring blitz and their well-advertised work incentives, Google could easily find Mac and Linux programmers, so the lack of support for other platforms must be intended. Other companies can make the argument that the cost is too great, but Google can clearly afford it. So, what exactly is the strategy here?

Re:Google's taking over

[Guano_Jim]

Actually, from TFA:

However, Google does have one caveat in its upload terms: "The video must not contain pornographic or obscene material."

I hope Google doesn't get to decide what's "obscene."

Re:Example of Google's automatic indexing

[Danta]

Sorry, I should have looked at the help page:

Sometimes the transcript text is garbled or has spelling and grammatical errors. Why is this?

The text we use for searching Google Video is captured from the closed captioning of each program as it airs. Closed captioning isn't always accurate and errors can occur during the transmission. Let us know if you find a program with serious errors in the text.