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Microsoft Temporarily Closes Video Site Soapbox

Posted by Zonk on from the nice-while-it-lasted dept.

Weather Storm writes "CNET News.com reports that Microsoft will be closing its video-sharing site, Soapbox, to new users for up to two months so it can create better safeguards against pirated content. Since the test version of Soapbox was launched last month to distribute movies and TV shows for big media companies, the site has filled up with unauthorized clips. 'No new subscribers will be accepted, but anyone who has already signed up for Soapbox can continue to access the site, said Adam Sohn, a director in Microsoft's online-services group.'"

11 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Phew!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Phew... Now YouTube is safe!

    1. Re:Phew!! by jcr · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah, I'm sure Google was really sweating that one..

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  2. So visit Soapbox, but don't plan on logging in... by vslashg · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...because, remember:

    So much to do at Cartmanland, but you can't come!

  3. Good thing they're allowing existing users to stay by kbob88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    anyone who has already signed up for Soapbox can continue to access the site

    Because the existing users have obviously been paragons of virtue when it comes respecting copyright law...

    the site has filled up with unauthorized clips

    Oh, wait a minute
  4. I wonder what prompted this. by malevolentjelly · · Score: 4, Funny

    What a seemingly random move! I wonder what would prompt them to suddenly hop out of video sharing?

    Maybe Microsoft doesn't yet want to try to wrestle Google out of the "Getting Sued for a Billion Dollars" market. They have pretty solid domination at this point.

  5. Anything we can do to help? by countSudoku() · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... to get soapbox shutdown permanently?

    Just say the word.

    And by word I mean; Thunderbird.

    "What's the word? Thunderbird. What's the price? .40 twice."

    --
    This is the NSA, we're gonna geet U h@x0r5! Also, what is a h@x0r5?
  6. In a perfect world ... by postmortem · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... people would use Microsoft products to pirate & distribute Microsoft products.

  7. What kind of box? by Forrest+Kyle · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Soapbox was launched last month to distribute movies and TV shows for big media companies,"

    Don't big media companies have enough of a Soapbox by virtue of being big media companies?

  8. Meanwhile... by A_Non_Moose · · Score: 2, Funny

    the dozens of users of Soapbox go back to Youtube for two months...and eventually forget that Soapbox exists.

    Sounds like a movie: Soapbox: the Cleansing.

    (jaded mode on) lemme guess? WMV only? (jaded mode off)

    --
    Have you read the moderator guidelines? Well, have you, PUNK? (and I want a Karma: Gnarly option)
  9. Re:Good thing they're allowing existing users to s by ucblockhead · · Score: 4, Funny

    Especially if your house is so unpopular with the mosquito community that only three have bothered to show up.

    --
    The cake is a pie
  10. Re:ironic...? by SleepyHappyDoc · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think the 'temporary' in your definition is pretty apt, considering.

    --
    Stasis is death. Embrace change.