.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
Live streaming-video app Periscope and media companies are in discussions on how to address the issue of piracy. But Periscope says technological fixes that many of the media houses want, are difficult to do in real time streaming.
Periscope was bought by Twitter in 2015 and has faced scrutiny after several high-profile television events, including the HBO prize fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao and HBO’s Game of Thrones’ April premiere, were illegally broadcast through the app. The App sends a video stream from a phone directly to the Internet, making it available to all.
Media companies, many of which are working with Periscope to promote video streaming online, are also demanding improvements in the App ecosystem. A month ago HBO called for “tools that proactively prevent mass copyright infringement.”
CBS CEO Les Moonves, speaking at the Re/code conference recently, said Twitter and Periscope need to respond to media companies’ concerns.
Periscope CEO Kayvon Beykpour defended the App, arguing that there is not “enough piracy” for it to be a major issue. He added that Periscope’s manual take down process is working and will respond immediately if such a situation arises.
Still, the company is working on technical fixes and holding “brainstorming sessions” with any television company that has issued take down requests.
Beykpour also argues that automated take downs can affect legitimate content, and some complaints about broadcasts fall under a “grey area”.
Video platforms such as YouTube have technology in place that automatically takes down copyrighted material.
David Gibbons, Vice President of marketing at Ustream, an eight-year-old live streaming-video platform, says it’s “not really that challenging” for his company to implement a special portal for take down notices or automatically sweep for material infringing copyright.
Beykpour and Twitter CEO Dick Costolo are scheduled to address piracy concerns soon.
(With inputs from Reuters)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)