If you're trying to watch a YouTube video and can't get the sound to work, it could be by design. The Google-owned video sharing site has just implemented a new policy which won't remove a user's videos containing copyrighted audio, but it will mute the audio stream, allowing the offending video to play on sans sound.
The new policy comes as a result of YouTube's ongoing dispute with Warner Music Group. Last month, Warner forced YouTube to cut off access to videos containing copyrighted music, following a breakdown in talks over licensing agreements. The video sharing site appears to have found a workaround until those talks come to a conclusion.
"Music licensing can get very complicated, but we try to make your experience as simple as possible," YouTube wrote in a blog post. "We want you to have options when uploading videos with music in them. And if your video is subject to a copyright claim, you should have some choices too."
YouTube recommends that anyone whose videos have been flagged and muted to check out Audioswap, which is a library of pre-cleared music.
Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/paul_lilly
[2] http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/41031/113/
[3] http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1180045
[4] http://www.youtube.com/blog?entry=Gg-mX2mof8c
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/youtube_has_landed_tivo_last
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/youtube_takes_another_cue_hulu_will_air_full_length_shows
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/copyright_infringement_hits_second_life
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