Microsoft begins YouTube battle
Soapbox is initially only available in the US
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Tuesday, 19, Sep 2006 12:09
Software giant Microsoft has unveiled details of its new user-generated video service, designed to offer direct competition for the increasingly popular YouTube website.
Soapbox has initially been released as an invitation only service for US residents, but the company hopes to fully launch the website within six months as part of an extensively revamped MSN Video.
Microsoft has lost out in recent months to the popularity of video websites driven by user-generated content, with MySpace and Google Video also enjoying considerable traffic success.
Rob Bennett, general manager of entertainment and video services for MSN, today admitted that YouTube had a big head-start ahead of Microsoft, but maintained that the new MSN Video service would offer a realistic alternative for internet users.
"Soapbox delivers on a critical component of the MSN growth strategy of deepening audience engagement by enabling people to participate in the content experience," he said.
"By adding a user-uploaded video service, we are rounding out our existing investments in commercially produced and original content on MSN Video."
More than 100 million videos are downloaded from YouTube daily, with the website recently addressing copyright infringement concerns by signing a landmark deal with Warner Music allowing users to sample content owned by the company.