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Social Network Goes Beyond MySpace

Social-networking startup Stickam seeks to benefit from going where MySpace and other social networks fear to tread: the Webcam. Its strategy is not just about enabling users to send video clips to each other; we're potentially talking about voyeurism in the extreme, 24/7 real-time video.

Already fearful of being sued for connecting unsuspected child abusers with underage users, MySpace doesn't allow video chat. Stickam, on the other hand, encourages it. Ignoring the specter of exhibitionism, Stickam hopes to grow its user base by providing live feeds of celebrities, celebrity events, musicians, comedians and other entertainers. For example, the company is trying to secure to the rights to pump in live video of Prince's post-Oscar party this Sunday. Stickam also plans to produce original content of its own; it's building a production studio in Los Angeles, hopeful one day of working with Hollywood Studios.

"Obscene" and "indecent behavior" are forbidden on the site, but such behavior is common. At the moment, it's nearly impossible to impose restrictions on online video. Until it does, Stickam won't be attracting Hollywood partnerships or any marketing dollars.

Read the whole story at CNET News.com »

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