Microsoft reopened YouTube competition service

After two months of closure because of the copyright issue on June 1, 2007, Microsoft announced that it will officially reopen the MSN Soapbox - an online video sharing website competing with YouTube.

This version of Soapbox has been added with many new upgrades and allows users to watch videos without having to register an account as well as adding content filtering technology.

Content filtering technology will allow Microsoft to identify pirated content when they are uploaded. This is also the solution to help Microsoft avoid facing legal battles related to copyright similar to those between YouTube and Viacom.

" Audible Magic's content filtering technology filters videos based on the audio content embedded in the video. That audio database is also regularly updated ," Microsoft said. " This technology will be an important factor in ensuring the survival and success of Soapbox in the future ."

In addition, Microsoft has also signed a number of content delivery contracts with NBC and FOX to allow it to upload their TV programs to Soapbox.

This full screen video playback capability has also been integrated into Soapbox.

Microsoft is committed to continuing to research and improve the performance of the service to speed up coding and data transfer speeds faster.

Hoang Dung