YouTube is to allow users to download and watch videos offline,
with some content providers allowed to charge a small amount for
the privilege.
In a blog, the Google
subsidiary said, "We are always looking for ways to make it easier
for you to find, watch, and share videos. Many of you have told us
that you wanted to take your favourite videos offline.
"So we have started working with a few partners who want their
videos shared universally and even enjoyed away from an internet
connection."
YouTube said most video creators on YouTube want their work to
be seen far and wide. It said they do not mind sharing their work,
provided that they get the proper credit.
Using Creative Commons licences, YouTube is allowing this to
happen. Creative Commons licences permit people to reuse downloaded
content under certain conditions.
YouTube is also developing an option that gives video owners the
ability to permit downloading of their videos from YouTube for free
or for a small fee paid through Google Checkout.
Partners can set prices and decide which licence they want to
attach to the downloaded video files.