Google Launches Video Service

Google Inc. yesterday said it had begun accepting digital video files of any length for its Video Upload Program. Eventually, Internet users will be able to preview, play, and purchase video content through Google Video, the company's video search service, which debuted in January.Submitted video will not be immediately available. Assuming the material meets Google's criteria -- users must own all applicable rights and the content cannot be obscene or pornographic -- Google will notify submitters when their material has been added to Google Video.

Content owners will have the option of offering their content for free or charging viewers. If they ask viewers to pay, Google says it will take a portion of the proceeds to cover its costs. Of course, Google also reserves the right to sell ads to be displayed next to its search results that link to submitted content.

Google says that it has "put a number of measures in place to prevent copying or sharing of your content." It does not specify what those measure are.

The Google Video Uploader software requires Windows 98 or above. There's no Mac or Linux version available at this time.