MySpace to Launch Enhanced Copyright Protection Tool

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MySpace.com, the world’s leading lifestyle portal, announced today plans to launch a new tool for copyright holders that makes it even easier and faster to remove content they allege is unauthorized. The tool is being tested with FOX and MLB Advanced Media and will be expanded to include other verified copyright holders.

The new tool will allow copyright holders to digitally flag any user-posted video containing content that they own and allege is unauthorized. MySpace will promptly remove all videos flagged by a copyright holder. In addition, MySpace has implemented a proprietary system to block videos that are removed at the request of a copyright owner from being re-uploaded to the site by other users.

“MySpace is firmly committed to protecting copyright holders’ rights,” said Chris DeWolfe, CEO and co-founder of MySpace. “This is another important step we’re taking to ensure that those who create and own content are able to protect it.”

The new tool will allow MySpace to more efficiently implement its long-standing policy against users uploading third-party copyrighted material by automating the "notice and take down" process that has been in existence since MySpace’s inception.

In compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, MySpace has enforced copyright protection through a traditional “notice and takedown” process whereby copyright holders inform MySpace of infringing content and MySpace promptly removes it from the site. With the new tool, MySpace will make it even easier for copyright holders to identify and take down user-posted videos containing unauthorized content.

The announcement comes on the heels of MySpace’s landmark licensing deal with Gracenote, which implemented fingerprinting technology to help prevent unauthorized music from being posted by users to the site.

About MySpace.com

MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. By integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities and member forums, MySpace has created a connected community. As the second ranked web domain in terms of page views(a), MySpace is the most widely-used and highly regarded site of its kind and is committed to providing the highest quality member experience. MySpace will continue to innovate with new features that allow its members to express their creativity and share their lives, both online and off. MySpace’s global network includes localized community sites in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

(a) Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, September 2006. For more information on comScore Networks, please go to www.comscore.com.