YouTube offers clip makers '15 Minutes of Fame'

by Steven Mostyn - Jul 30 2010, 11:13

We’re all well aware that YouTube has a mouth and a voice, but it would appear the Google-owned clip service is also keen to show it has ears too. Moreover, having listened to user feedback, YouTube is now extending its upload time limit from 10 minutes to 15 minutes.

According to YouTube, it is reacting directly to the number-one feature requested by its content creators and, in turn, encouraging them to take full advantage of the upload increase in order to capture that elusive “15 minutes of fame.”

In explaining the clip-sharing site’s decision to extend the upload time restriction, Joshua Siegel, YouTube product manager for Upload and Video Management, pointed to the ever-evolving copyright protection provided by its Content ID system.

“We’ve spend significant resources on creating and improving our state-of-the-art Content ID system and many other powerful tools for copyright owners,” he said in an official release. “Now, all of the major U.S. movie studios, music labels and over 1,000 other global partners use Content ID to manage their content on YouTube.  

“Because of the success of these ongoing technological efforts, we are able to increase the upload limit today,” he added. “We will continue our strong commitment to provide advanced technology and tools to protect the rights of small and large copyright owners worldwide.”

To help promote the upload time extension, YouTube is asking general users and budding filmmakers to create and submit their own “15 Minutes of Fame” videos.

“Imagine this video is all the world will ever know about you,” coaxed Siegel. “What would you want to communicate? What will be the enduring stamp you’ve left on us all?”

Those looking to craft such video clips should tag their creations ‘yt15minutes’ and submit them before August 4. Winners selected by YouTube will receive a genuine taste of fame when their videos are featured on the site’s homepage.

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