Video Uploads: Easy And Free, But Read The Fine Print!

May 27
07:16

2008

Alan Jacobson

Alan Jacobson

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While there are many reasons why you may need to upload video onto the internet, concern is warrented about how your video clip might be used by the "free" site helping you complete the upload. If you are not careful they could use your video clip without your knowledge and make money from it, or, worse, distort it and hurt your reputation.

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Almost everybody has a need or desire to upload video to the internet. It you want to post video on your own homepage for family and friends to see,Video Uploads: Easy And Free, But Read The Fine Print! Articles have video stream on your social networking (e.g. facebook) page, use a file sharing site, or create a video clip to send to family by e-mail, you need to know how to upload video. The good thing is that there are plenty of sites that allow you to upload video simply, easily, and for free.

So, how do you choose between these different sites? Perhaps the most important way to compare and contrast video upload sites is by comparing the agreements you have to "sign" before you use the service offered at the site. And the biggest difference to look for: Who will "own" your uploaded video once it's on the site? Or, more accurately: Will you have to share ownership of your video upload once it's on their site?

If you don't carefully read the agreement, you may be unknowingly giving a site you uploaded video through the permission and ability to do any of the following:

- Monetize your video clip, such as posting it on a page surrounded by advertisements and links.

- Use your video upload as an example of their product in their advertising and promotional materials

- Share your free video upload with some "partner sites", which could be of significant number. Your funny video of your cat could spread across the internet very quickly!

- Some smaller sites whose intentions are not good could even edit your video clip in a way that might distort your meaning or purpose in order to make it funny, outrageous, or even anger producing.

- Once you upload video, some sites could use your content in another medium - your uploaded video could appear on a television program or advertisement for example.

Interestingly, depending on your purpose, some of the above could be good for you, like if you are promoting yourself or your business. And most of the above is not harmful, though it could be frustrating to see someone else make money off of your original content.

While most times if you use a free site to help you upload your video clip, none of the above is going to happen. However, if you have to upload video that is going to be the cornerstone of your unique business, vital to your website, or is private in some way, you may want to read the fine print first. At the very least this will help you decide which of the many free video upload services to use.