MySpace's filter screens video uploaded by users and blocks any video matching a fingerprint in its database by using digital fingerprinting technology licensed from Audible Magic. MySpace's video filter is the latest addition to its industry leading suite of tools that it has developed to help copyright owners protect copyrighted works on MySpace.

    "MySpace is dedicated to ensuring that content owners, whether large or small, can both promote and protect their content in our community," said Chris DeWolfe, CEO and co-founder of MySpace. "For MySpace, video filtering is about protecting artists and the work they create."

    MySpace's new video filter follows up the audio filtering system it launched last fall, screening audio files uploaded by users to hinder any unauthorized music uploads. MySpace has also developed and is making available a special content takedown tool to make it easier and more efficient for copyright owners to request removal of any user-posted content they claim is unauthorized.

    With the implementation of video filtering, MySpace now offers industry-leading content protection on its site.

    MySpace is already blocking users from uploading any audio or video files containing Universal Music Group's music that is not authorized, while allowing all of the extensive free authorized promotional uses that UMG and its artists currently enjoy on MySpace. NBC/Universal and Fox also are participating in the pilot program.

    MySpace has offered the full-range of its content protection tools to all other major music labels and to other content owners, free of charge.

    "With the explosive growth and popularity of MySpace, the recognition and filtering of copyrights will play an important role in its ongoing success," said Vance Ikezoye, CEO and founder of Audible Magic. "Audible Magic has a long history with identification technology and the content industry that allows us to offer comprehensive, reliable and mature solutions for user-contributed content. As a result, Audible Magic is ideally suited to support MySpace's protection of copyrighted works."

    (Agencies)