It seems that most of the networks have started to see the benefit of offering content online. I find it rather amusing that there is now a greater selection of episodes legally available online then one would find on a transatlantic flights. It seems that traditional content licensing has taken a back seat.
In a way by offering the content online they are validating other arguments offered by p2p proponents that content obtained elsewhere doesn’t harm DVD sales. After all most of us like the cross compatibility of a DVD, the portability , the additional content, and of course the fact that it’s likely to fund additional episodes..
The Networks making material available online though will still conform to a revenue seeking model. So I imagine they’ll still be vigilant if not doubly so about limiting content access through unauthorized channels such as Youtube. Take a look at the article.
Hasbro’s lawyers have asked SEGA to remove a viral from the Condemned 2 promotional site. The video can now be found on you tube and several other sites. [I've embedded below but please be forewarned it is not child safe and probably would not be prudent to view at work due to the violence.]
This brings up a few points to ponder
1. Does the use of the characters in such a manor constitute satire? Hasbro’s no doubt would like to preserve brand integrity and keep the My Little Pony characters from becoming generic and therefore fair game. But would one of the major network sketch shows have taken down the video?
2. Content regulation: One of the arguments surrounding the video is that the characters resembling cartoon characters may inadvertently lead small children to a site promoting/previewing violent content. This could have been circumvented if the website had an age verification entry portal, or a disclaimer. One of my concerns is that the apparent ease of youth access to questionable material gives ammunition to those who would seek to regulate the internet. At some point election cycles, game designers finally getting lobbyists, or a publicized lawsuit is going to bring unwelcome attention to the world of viral and new media marketing. Depending on the authority of regulatory bodies (how much net neutrality is eroded) it will be an interesting development.
3. Propagation: As in many prior examples the original propagators of the content were asked and attempted to remove their material. Now that SEGA has removed the video from its site who bears the responsibility for curtailing its spread? Pandora’s box so to say is already open, the video is now making the round throughout the internet. So if in a more dire example who would be accountable for potential damage? Certainly SEGA can argue that it pulled the video as soon as it was asked, Hasbro can argue that it was not approached for clearance, and online hosts of course have long since learned to wash their hands.
As for effectiveness:
I like the disparity between the style and subject, and of course the controversy only but helps spread the word about the campaign.
My name is Juard Van Dijkhorst and I’m about to graduate with a B.S in Digital Film production. Instead of packing for my move (Which I need to have completed by this evening), securing immunizations for my South Africa sojourn this summer (to Quote an Aunt “Malaria is jolly bad!”), or do that sleep thing I’ve been meaning to accomplish all semester, I’m here tinkering with ftp, html, and wordpress for the first time.
The intention with this blog is to examine and analyze trends in the new media. The end result however is no doubt unforeseeable.
I’ve done some research papers on the subject and some development for smaller projects but it’s something I’d like to keep up with. I’ll be in South Africa for June, July, and the first few days of August but depending on access and power outages I hope to gradually build this into an ongoing source on the subject.