Burbank (CA) - NBC has closed out its official Youtube account and removes all videos from the site as it prepares to launch its own video sharing outlet.

NBC announced a joint venture with News Corp earlier this year.  The two media giants will launch a Youtube-like site called Hulu next week.  The decision makes it easier for the content providers to regulate the videos and manage their advertising revenue.

A Youtube spokesperson said, "Our relationship with NBC was a Youtube success story, so we hope NBC decides to post more original content and stay engaged with our users," according to the Financial Times.

Content creators have been aggressively fighting Youtube since before it was acquired by Google for over $1 billion.  However, some companies, like NBC, created their own accounts on the site to use the medium as a means of promoting their content.  CBS is now the only major network actively pursuing an official Youtube marketing strategy.

Hulu, meanwhile, is in the middle of its own legal battle already.  Another media-sharing site, Lulu, has filed a lawsuit claiming NBC and News Corp's new site will confuse Web surfers and that the name is too alike given the similar nature of its content.

Now it's time for NBC to start a lawsuit

Oct 23, 2007 12:37     

I bet in six months when noby goes to their site, and their content keeps showing up on youtube they will hop on the Viacom bandwagon.
SilverDraco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Why Innovate when you can Litigate?

Oct 23, 2007 14:50     

lol... I love it. YouTube was a genius idea and it worked , has the potential for billions in ad revenue ... Viacom says hey my clips are on their site ? Why didnt we think of this idea? Oh let's sue. Even though youtube takes the clips down if they are given notice of the violation!! stupid youtube !!! following the law!! NBC lets copy youtube and put our clips on the web.... screw it let's sue too!!

Josh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hey Josh, I've got a good idea for a business. I'll...

Oct 23, 2007 15:20     

Hey Josh, I've got a good idea for a business. I'll steal you car and drive it around but if you can find me I'll give it back and we'll be cool.
jj report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

lawsuit not possible............

Oct 23, 2007 16:11     

it is very easy to discard all the NBC videos on youtube. Google had many good experience with dealing this sort of things. BTW, digit media files have values too. youtube need to form its own media creation group.
Meng Yan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

You tube should

Oct 23, 2007 23:39     

Youtube should pay content creators a reasonable share of revenue, from the playback of that content. So if someone makes a video with candy and cola they should get a share of the revenue. Likewise if someone plays the flute and beatboxes at the same time or if its a pro movie/tv show. Even if a political party puts up content, they should get a share (could lower the amount of corporate sponsorship they need). This will lead to more ppl making content, ppl investing more money on equipment to make the content look/sound better and more choice for consumers. Youtube is being greedy and only giving a share to content creators that youtube fears being sued from!!!

Jay report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

What about the BBC?

Oct 24, 2007 00:08     

They've still got their account with everything loaded... Or does that not count because it's not a US network (though that'd be very odd from Toms, being an international enterprise...)
Michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hey JJ get real..........

Oct 24, 2007 03:49     

Hey I'm going to host a race car event, but you stole josh's car to use in my event. Josh calls me and says JJ stole my car to use in your race. I remove you from my Race..... How I am liable for you stealing a car to use in a race I am hosting. That is a better analogy youtube doesn't control what a user uploads..... so they aren't posting the copyrighted material, but are happy to remove if notified. How is that wrong. If they didn't remove the material then it would be

Lars report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

JJ then...

Oct 24, 2007 09:34     

Lets revise the story I liked the design of your car so I duplicated one of my own, and you get mad and STEAL it from me.... hmmm who is taking whos property??
SilverDraco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0