MySpace licences Gracenote technology to detect infringers

MySpace, a social-networking hub and one of the most popular sites on the Internet, on Monday announced that it has licensed a new technology to stop users from posting illegal copyright music and get rid of frequent infringers of its policy.

MySpace.com owned by one of the world's largest media conglomerates, News Corp. is licensing the technology from the Berkeley, California based private company, Gracenote to detect and block unauthorized uploads of copyrighted music to its site.

The social networking site move comes after major studios and record labels criticized MySpace and YouTube for for violating the copyrights of their artists' music and videos.

The Gracenote technology allows MySpace to review downloaded music stuff and compare it to Gracenote’s database of copyrighted material. The technology then blocks uploads of copyrighted material, and
deletes the profiles and accounts of users who repeatedly try to upload it without proper consent.

After confirming the deal to integrate the Gracenote technology, Chris DeWolfe, co-founder of Santa Monica, California based social network service said, "MySpace is staunchly committed to protecting artists' rights, whether those artists are on major labels or are independent acts," adding that "This is another important step we're taking to ensure artists control the content they create."

The company has always been strict in its policy to remove copyrighted material when requested to, but the latest move to use Gracenote's technology adds more to its efforts to prevent copyright violations.

It is also planning to start its own music retail operations, in near future. The online service, which is more and more seen as a destination to see and hear music and video will soon begin selling songs from nearly 3 million unsigned bands, with aims to eventually offer copyright-protected songs from major record companies, as well.

Popular sites like MySpace and YouTube got messy with illegal copyrighted music and video uploaded by numerous users, who hope to share them with friends as well as with strangers.

Concerned with the illegal use of artists in those sites, Doug Morris, Universal Music chairman, highlighted the issue in the music industry by using an investor conference to criticize MySpace and YouTube. In which he accused them of being "copyright infringers" who "owe us tens of millions of dollars."

Soon after that Universal has formed an association with YouTube, which recently agreed to be acquired by Google. Along with it, the music company has sued smaller online video sites Bolt and recent Sony acquisition Grouper Networks, the privately held operator of the grouper.com Web site, for copyright infringement.

EMI, Vivendi's Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony BMG possess nearly 75 per cent of mainstream popular music.

MySpace, which was acquired by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. for $580 million less than a year ago, is reported to have more than 90 million active users.