Microsoft temporarily closed the video website

Microsoft is temporarily preventing new users from subscribing to the Soapbox online video site to better establish control mechanisms for pirated content, a "problem" that YouTube rivals are facing.

Expected, the "preparation" process will last for two months. Previously registered users still access (upload, download .) normal videos but will have to pay through a stricter control mechanism.

Since the launch of the Soapbox beta last month, this video site has been flooded with non-copyrighted videos, which is why Microsoft is worried.

In a move related to video content, Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo agreed to join the new online video venture, including NBC Universal and News Corp. This video network is expected to begin operating next summer with news shows, video clips or series from various television networks and two other major film production studios.

Copyright issues have become a worrying center for new online video sites recently. YouTube, the largest video sharing site today, has thousands of video clips posted without the consent of the subject.

Meanwhile for Microsoft, the company will apply Audible Magic's digital fingerprint recognition technology to prevent users from posting pirated video content.