Why Bricks and Clicks Don’t Always Mix

Blockbuster and Netflix invite interesting comparisons. While Blockbuster is facing bankruptcy and closing stores, Netflix is thriving. Blockbuster struggled with integrating its stores and online presence, while Netflix focused solely on e-tail. See Why Bricks and Clicks Don’t Always Mix.

YouTube Can’t Be Liable on Copyright, Spain Rules

Is YouTube liable for copyright infringement if a TV show clip is posted on the site without the owner's permission? A Spanish court ruled that YouTube does not have to screen the clips before they are posted, as long as they remove them when notified of their presence by the clips owners. An American court has followed the same rule. Other European courts have found YouTube liable on copyright violations, imposing more responsibility on YouTube to police its content. See YouTube Can’t Be Liable on Copyright, Spain Rules.

Search Takes a Social Turn

What book should I read? Is there a good restaurant nearby? Social media users would rather ask their friends for advice than rely on a traditional search engine, and services are coming online to help them do just that. Amazon will display a list of your favorite books to your Facebook friends. Loopt will show you which of your friends liked a particular restaurant. See Search Takes a Social Turn.

University Declares A Week Without Social Media

Harrisburg University is shutting off access on school computers to popular social networking sites for a one week experiment. Students are encouraged to participate in the social media blackout and write a reflective paper on their experience when it is over. See University Declares A Week Without Social Media.

Retargeting Ads Follow Surfers to Other Sites

If you view an item online and then see ads for it later, you may be experienced retargeting or remarketing. A site you visit will put a cookie on your computer showing that you viewed that item. When you leave the site, you may see ads for that same item appear. The ads have been generated using the information in those cookies. Critics say the practice makes them feel as though they are being "watched" while they surf or "stalked" by a product. It is a reminder that information about your surfing practices is stored on your computer and can be exploited by advertisers. See Retargeting Ads Follow Surfers to Other Sites.

How to Build a Better Business Blog

This opinion piece from CRM Buyer offers some useful tips on creating a business blog. Company blogs allow a business to personalize its brand and create trust in a customer. See How to Build a Better Business Blog.