Youku launches copyright-monitoring system similar to YouTube

According to the company, Youku implemented the system to more aptly identify and prevent users from uploading infringed video content. Similar technology is already used by European and American audio-video copyright holders but Youku’s platform allows for manual monitoring which vets for content “that's sensitive for other reasons”.

The launch comes ahead of Youku’s plans to acquire content “on an unprecedented scale” throughout the year.

“The pioneering introduction of this copyright identification system in China will effectively accelerate the industry's movement toward legitimate content and serve as an important protective measure for the Internet video industry,” the company noted in a release.

In addition, Youku announced the establishment of the China Network Copyright Committee aimed at addressing online copyright issues in China. The launch comes months after adversary Sohu launched the Chinese Online Video Anti-Piracy Alliance with 110 initial partners, including Joy.cn and Union Voole Technology Company.

After months of legal sparring that saw the Alliance and Youku launching lawsuits against each other, Beijing’s Haidian District Court last month cleared Youku and Coca-Cola – an advertiser on Youku videos – of all copyright infringement charges, rejecting lawsuits backed by Union Voole Technology on behalf of the Chinese Online Video Anti-Piracy Alliance.