The news that is sweeping the net and Wall Street Journal today is that Google "may" be looking to acquire YouTube. If the sale goes through will YouTube become to Google what Broadcast.com was to Yahoo, an expensive acquisition with questionable returns? Of course, 1.6 Billion would be a bargain for Google compared to the 5 Billion that Yahoo! squandered on Bcast.

The WSJ article had an interesting quote by Forrester Research analyst Josh Bernoff who said "But Google also could present a solution", indicating that Google might be able to develop automated systems to block unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.

As a smaller content creator, I have concerns about my media used without permission and agree that Google might be opening itself for potential liabilities. Large media outlets such as Fox and NBC have reversed course as of late with respect to their content being used on-line, witness all those eyeballs and the good will it creates for those brands. I think if Google can create the technology to safeguard my media I would certainly consider that platform for distribution though to be direct, most of the content is rather low quality as say compared to a higher percentage of content you will find on CurrentTV.

Interestingly the man who benefited so nicely from the Yahoo! deal, Mark Cuban had stark words for YouTube, saying among other things "Take away all the copyrighted material and you take away most of Youtube's traffic. Youtube turns into a hosting company with a limited video portal".

Of course, Cuban was clear to indicate that he made a prediction, "but that doesn't mean I don't like 'em".