Great news for online video publishers today — YouTube announced via the YouTube blog that users can now upload videos up to 15 minutes in duration. That’s a 50% increase over the previous upload limit of 10 minutes.
The company explains that the time limit is extending for uploaded videos because the YouTube Content ID system has evolved to a point where it’s easier and more reliable in identifying videos that have been uploaded but violate copyright laws (for example, uploaded movies or television shows).
Google has officially launched its new YouTube Direct, which allows organizations to better manage reader video submissions. The Huffington Post, San Fransisco Chronicle, NPR and Politico have all signed on to use YouTube Direct as a resource.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is enacting new guidelines that bloggers and Twitter users need to be aware of. The new rules go into effect on December 1, 2009, and anyone who violates them could face fines up to $11,000 per violation.
At a time when traditional media sources are struggling to remain profitable, smaller, niche players are emerging as the go-to places for authoritative content. Many of those authoritative content providers syndicate their content through Newstex, including GlobalPost, which focuses on foreign news coverage with approximately 70 foreign correspondents in 50 countries.