The prosecutors also think that because the video highlights the boy's disability, it could violate Italian data protection laws. Google has yet to receive official charges, but sources have told Reuters that the employees will be charged and expect them to face trial on February 3rd 2009. The company said it's worried about the precedent this could set for censorship on the internet, and I have to agree. At least one of these employees has never lived in Italy, and furthermore, the video was uploaded to a server in the US. But on top of all that, the bigger question is how can you punish these Google employees for something one of their users did? If they do get convicted it threatens YouTube, Google Video, and just about every site with user generated content. So even though making fun of the disabled is totally uncool (and despite my proud Italian heritage) I'm going to have to mildly scold Italy for this one: not cool Italy, not cool. [Reuters via PCWorld - Image via ian larson]

While Apple won't be turning off FairPlay's authentication servers anytime soon, I do have this semi-dystopian fantasy of them all simultaneously, spontaneously combusting and watching billions in legally purchased music go up in smoke as it all becomes basically unmovable, save circumventing the tracks' DRM, if only so the average consumer finally learns what those three little letters really mean. Good times. [Last 100 via Dave Zatz]

You may be thinking that no one actually purchased from Google Video, but contrary to popular belief that is not true. At least one person did, (Tom over at CNET) and we suspect there will be a few more disgruntled customers, too. Tom at CNET received an email yesterday detailing Google's big plan:

Hello,

As a valued Google user, we're contacting you with some important information about the videos you've purchased or rented from Google Video. In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective August 15, 2007.

To fully account for the video purchases you made before July 18, 2007, we are providing you with a Google Checkout bonus for $2.00. Your bonus expires in 60 days, and you can use it at the stores listed here: http://www.google.com/checkout/signupwelcome.html. The minimum purchase amount must be equal to or greater than your bonus amount, before shipping and tax.

After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased or rented videos.
If you have further questions or requests, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Google Video Team

However, even if you have an Xbox 360, you can use MyCasting to stream YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo! Video, Daily Motion, Guba, AOL Video, and thousands of other streaming Internet TV stations to your set. That's pretty nifty.

But how well does it work?

Pretty darn well. Setting up regular streaming (vids, music, pics) on the Xbox 360 was simple. Just pick shared folders on your PC (Windows only) and select the "Orb" PC option from your 360 in the correct media section. It streams just as you'd expect it to.

Plus, if you're trying to play back DivX or a format your Xbox 360 won't support, Orb will transcode it on the fly for you. The only downside to this is that Orb transcodes at what seems like 320x240 and stretches the image to 720p or 1080i or whatever resolution your 360's running. This makes the image blocky, but watchable if it's your only resort.

The best feature would have to be the Internet video content, which is fairly confusing to set up at first. After jumping through various hoops—you actually have to find stations on your PC and mark them as "favorite" before you can watch them—we got Internet video playing.

As for YouTube and Google, you can't actually just sit on the couch and flip through a bunch of videos. You have to find them on your PC first, then mark those as favorite before they're viewable on the console. Definitely clumsy, and hopefully fixable in future updates.

All in all the media streaming is handy for the stuff on your PC's hard drive, but the real gold here is being able to watch Internet content.

More impressions from PS3 and Wii later. – Jason Chen

Press Release [PRNewswire]

Google, sweethearts that they are, offered to "work together with cable operators to combine its technology for searching for video and TV footage and its tailored advertising with the cable networks' high-quality delivery of shows." Aw, shucks, how sweet of you to try to weasel your way into the service provider industry under the guise of a warning. Yeah, I'm sure making Google Video the proprietary method of searching for video on every ISP and using AdWords to make money off it will really help people download movies faster. You're all about helping the people, Google, and we thank you. –Adam Frucci

Google and cable firms warn of risks from Web TV [Reuters]

Any video that shows my choreography being done incorrectly is being removed. I don't want future generations having to learn it wrong and then relearn it as I am being faced with now because of certain sites and (people) that have been teaching it incorrectly and without my permission. That's the reason I (copyrighted) it in the first place.

P.S.:Craptacular rendition of Electric Slide featured out of spite.

'Electric Slide' on slippery DMCA slope [CNET via Slashdot]

Google expands video ad test [CNET]
mockup via Center Networks