Irish YouTube Launched

YouTube has gone global, according to the BBC. The Internet video site has launched local language versions of its popular portal in Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK.

Over half of YouTube viewers are based outside of the USA, so the push into new territories will continue. The company has also announced international content partners including deals with France 24, Antena 3 in Spain, European football clubs such as AC Milan, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as organisations such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. This means, of course, that YouTube is positioning itself as a provider not only of user-generated content but of professionally-produced material.

The company says it has more than 1,000 global partners, with more than 150 deals signed in Europe since March.

Mr Hurley [YouTube co-founder] said: "We respect copyright and we want to create new revenue streams to create opportunities.

"We have been working with rights holders to help them leverage new audiences."

Despite the assurances, YouTube is facing widespread legal action from copyright holders over the use of material that is being uploaded by the site's users without permission.