Animerica

About the Current State of Online Entertainment

Added: April 25, 2012

Online entertainment or e-entertainment, as we all know, is a mix of video, audio, communication, music, gaming, social networking, etc. Online entertainment is more interactive and engaging than the traditional media, which was limited to radio and television. Various individual sites that provide some or other types of entertainment, when clubbed together, formulate the term, online entertainment. This means the online entertainment contains content that is linked with social features. Such interactive content over the web creates an experience that is personalized and user friendly, which in turn keeps the audience glued to their computers now more than ever. This brings us to one of the most popular social networking and entertainment sites YouTube which we discuss in more detail below.

YouTube is an online entertainment site that provides various videos, be it movies or a Super Bowl match or your personalized video uploaded to the site. It is a hub for various films. Not just that, YouTube also provides ‘like’ and ‘share’ buttons that links you across the social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and so on. In addition, it provides comment dialog box, where the audience can give their precious comments. This in turn, creates an environment that keeps the audience engaged to YouTube.

Even though the online entertainment websites are a platform to connect people from across the world, these have not been recognized as entertainment companies. However, they are already leading when it comes to user experience.

Even though these sites have helped us to connect with the world and make it a smaller place to live in, there have been issues related to piracy of content lately. It is this reason why the SOPA or the Stop Online Piracy Act bill was introduced. The US representative Lamar S Smith initiated it on October 26, 2011 in the house as HR 3261. It was introduced in order to curb piracy and for this purpose, it was necessary to stop online trafficking of patented or copyrighted content and counterfeit consumer goods that are offered for sale. The bill includes conditions such as requesting court orders against conducting business with infringing websites and search engines and orders to block access to such sites. The bill also talks about expanding the existing criminal law and include SOPA in it. This will guarantee the value of copyrighted content and if there is any kind of breach then, according to the act, 5 years of imprisonment will be imposed on the violating party. Even PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) is somewhat similar to the SOPA.

However, PIPA and SOPA did not pass through the House or Senate due to the active involvement of Demand Progress and various other groups, supporting freedom of speech and to maintain an open internet. But, in case these bills become an act, there will always be scope for online entertainment. This might be in the paid form or some other form that solves the purpose of both the parties, i.e., the government as well as the online audience. The World Wide Web is a huge platform and with the tool of right to freedom of speech and expression, we will be able to enjoy online entertainment always.