Youtube goes ‘offline'

Youtube has announced that it will soon enable users to download video clips. Currently, Youtube only offers streaming video.

Both amateurs and (semi-) professionals will get the option to offer their clips to users as downloads. By using Creative Commons’ licensing system, publishers can set forth clear rules for the use of the material once it is downloaded. Furthermore, (semi-)professional publishers will have the option to ask money for digital downloads. Youtube users can pay for the content through Google Checkout.

With this new download service Google adds another content-based revenue stream to its portfolio. Earlier this year Google struck a deal with the Authors Guild of America for publishing and searching books online.