Everyone has to agree that the use of tube sites to upload videos that promote or depict illegality is something that has to be stamped on hard. Whether it’s copyright theft, bullying or violence uploading videos that are known to infringe laws accepted the world over is just plain wrong.

There is of course a responsibility on the part of a site’s operators and hosts to take reasonable measures to moderate and remove unsuitable content however the ruling handed down in Milan today is seen even by critics of Google as overstepping the mark.

Three individuals, David Drummond, Peter Fleischer and George Reyes were found guilty of failing to comply with Italy’s Privacy Code by not obtaining the permission of the subject of a video for it to be shown.

The reasons for their failure to do so is obvious to most people. Millions of videos are uploaded to sites like YouTube each day and it is impossible to pre-view them all.

In this case the subject of the video was being bullied, presumably at least in part because he suffers from Downs Syndrome. It is not in dispute that the video should not have been uploaded and that its content was repugnant, what is in question is what regulating authorities and the operators of websites that allow user generated content to be uploaded should do about it.

Even an organisation with the might and manpower of Google does not have the resources to screen hundreds of thousands of videos every day before they are released for public viewing. And if the law is changed to require only “approved” videos to be uploaded the tube sites would all pull down the virtual shutters and cease operating.

Inherent in what is often called “Web 2.0”, defined by the ability of users to incorporate their own content into existing sites, is the danger that someone will abuse the powerful tools put at their disposal. If you want ever increasing levels of interactivity, mash-ups and an abundance of creativity you have to accept that a minority of undesirables will sour things for everyone else.

The decision has been described by Google as “ludicrous” and a “chilling decision”. Indeed it is because it seeks to invalidate the clause found in the terms of service of sites such as YouTube that until now have absolved the site of responsibility for the content and placed the responsibility on the user should an upload break the law.

The implications for adult sites and particular adult tube sites could be grave. They thrive on user generated content and even the most successful can not hope to field the resources, both legal and financial, that Google can to defend their operations.

Google and many commentators hope that the decision will be overturned on appeal. If it isn’t Google might pull the plug on Italy and cease operating any of its services in the country to avoid further clashes with a judicial system that seems not to understand or refuses to accept the realities of the Web.

It’s awards season and if you’re in to that kind of thing you’ll be please to know that the awards on offer are not limited to conventional, mainstream film and television. TelevisionX are running the Shaftas to recognize adult performers.

The big difference from many awards is that all the winners will be decided by public vote. There’s no stuffy and distant academy deciding who’s due for an award this year, it’s all down to you.

The categories you can vote in are:

• Best Series
• Best Interracial Series
• Best Spoof Series
• Best New Starlet
• Best Sex Scene
• Best Loved Character
• Best Anal Scene
• MILF Of The Year
• Most Outrageous Sex Scene
• Male Performer Of The Year
• Best Director
• Female Performer Of The Year

And if you want to cast your vote and make your voice heard about who are the hotest and best performers of the last 12 months you can visit this minisite at TelevisionX.

I’m Picking Up Good VIBErations

Something new has just been launched over at sextoys.co.uk.  It’s the Vibe, their social network community site and it’s buzzing.  I registered there the and found the process of setting up a profile straightforward, quick and easy.

Within minutes I completed my personal information, loaded up my naughty little avatar and was checking out what was on offer.

The Vibe is a bright and cheerful place where you can share information with fellow members via the forums or create a personal blog and if you aren’t interested in contributing to the wealth of information over there you can simply read the features and forum entries.

They encourage the use of video too, It’s possible to add your own videos and also comment via video which is an unusual concept and one I haven’t encountered before on similar sites.

Or why not have a chat in one of their chat rooms, meet new friends and share ideas.  With subscribers world wide you are bound to meet someone with similar interests to yours.

You may have a personal question you cannot confide in anyone else, no problem you can ask their resident Sexpert Rachel Foux.  The Vibe has covered every angle, it’s like Cosmopolitan only better because you get to interact and become part of the action.

The Vibe also offers regular contributors the chance to collect points which can later be exchanged towards products in their store.  So what do points make?…

…Prizes!

I’m going to be spending a lot of time over there so why don’t you join me by clicking here.