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Microsoft Temporarily Closes Video Site Soapbox
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.'"
Phew... Now YouTube is safe!
...because, remember:
So much to do at Cartmanland, but you can't come!
Because the existing users have obviously been paragons of virtue when it comes respecting copyright law...
Oh, wait a minute
What else did they expect? Private videos of people showing their houses and family and children and inviting the rest of the internet to dinner for pedos and sicko's?
People want entertainment. And if they don't get it at Soapbox because their lawyers are too lazy defending MPAA then the people will go elsewhere.
The point is that it's easier to get rid of mosquitoes in your house if you first close the windows.
I know I didn't know they even *had* a video site until now.
With this announcement they can appear to be good concerned corporate citizens (after all, pirated content finances terrorism!) and gain exposure in one fell publicity swoop.
Pathman, Free (as in GPL) 3D Pac Man
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.
... people would use Microsoft products to pirate & distribute Microsoft products.
Especially if your house is so unpopular with the mosquito community that only three have bothered to show up.
The cake is a pie