YouTube to Test Video Fingerprinting Solution by Google

In a move that will spare them a lot more stupid lawsuits, YouTube announced yesterday that they will test a new video fingerprinting technology next month. The technology will automatically identify copyrighted content for takedown or revenue-sharing — and, if proven to work, even upload blocking. Copyright holders participating in the test include Disney and Time Warner.

The solution was developed by Google, and chosen over a third-party video fingerprinting solution from Audible Magic. Audible Magic’s solution previously botched an independent test by Liz Gannes, even though MySpace chose to deploy it anyway. Fortunately for Audible Magic, YouTube still uses their audio fingerprinting solution to collect revenue shares for record companies — most of whom already have deals with YouTube.

I expect a lot of takedowns — many of which will probably be unfair — as this system first rolls out. Hope Time Warner and Disney get smart about their greed and choose to collect revenue shares instead. Also note that this video fingerprinting system was developed by Google. I wouldn’t be surprised if they refined it into video identification for search; after all, they just slipped facial recognition into Google Image Search.

Wherever this technology goes, it’s definitely a good thing for both YouTube and Hollywood. Leave it to Google to create a machine algorithm that solves a problem created by human greed.