Microsoft Shutters Soapbox to New Users

Attempting to stave off a similar situation to that of YouTube, Microsoft said this week it would not accept new registrations for as long as two months while it works on a better system to protect copyright.

The move is in response to an increasing number of illicit videos appearing on the service. While current users will be able to continue to access Soapbox, the site would not accept any new registrations.

Microsoft on Thursday had announced a deal with NBC/Universal and Fox/NewsCorp to stream television shows and movies through Soapbox. As it continues to strengthen Soapbox's offerings, it is likely getting pressure from copyright owners not to repeat YouTube's mistakes.

Viacom has already sued the popular social video site, and it has had its run-ins with several other content owners. Microsoft could have faced similar suits from its partners if, when the companies' content libraries come online, illicit content appears alongside the authorized ones.

It is not immediately clear if Soapbox will be the site used to distribute the content, but Thursday's move seemed to indicate that it might play a large part in the overall strategy to take on YouTube.

Along with the Microsoft, NBC, and Fox, the partnership would also include Yahoo and AOL.

"Today's announcement is a great win for MSN's more than 460 million consumers and for online video more broadly. When launched, this new venture will provide free access to an unprecedented library of high-quality video content," Microsoft Platform and Services president Kevin Johnson said of the deal.