Eschewing the blatant narcissism that sucks millions of souls into places like Myspace or YouTube, Disney has just launched DisneyParks. It’s a thinly veiled memory bank where the Jonas Brothers/Miley Cyrus worshipping set can upload their viral memories in or near or somewhat connected to a Disney park. That’s a pretty broad criterion if you ask us, because not only can you submit that kooky footage with Donald Duck but include the noisy road trip to Disneyland as well.
Disney’s Family-Centric Approach
However, underneath the saccharine tenderness of its goals, this family-centric approach to social media has an ulterior motive. Reading the fine print on the site reveals that Disney, by way of very confusing legalese, owns the footage and other media posted on DisneyParks, whose resounding battle cry is “Let the memories begin.” This begs the question, what the heck for?
Promotional purposes, apparently. We’re talking about ads and a large pool of free content Disney can tap to spare them extra expenses thinking up commercials. Even better, true to all social media enterprises, Disney wants you to share and connect with other users—but they still own the stuff.
So if you’re cool with uploading those kiddy pics of you wearing Mickey Mouse jammies hoping it’ll be broadcast in a Disneyland somewhere, go right ahead.
Implications for Users
The implications for users are multifaceted. On one hand, DisneyParks offers a unique platform for fans to share their magical experiences and connect with a community that shares their enthusiasm for all things Disney. This can be particularly appealing for families who have cherished memories tied to Disney parks and want to relive those moments through shared media.
On the other hand, the ownership clause raises significant concerns about privacy and intellectual property. By uploading content to DisneyParks, users essentially grant Disney a perpetual, royalty-free license to use their media in any way they see fit. This could include using personal photos and videos in marketing campaigns, advertisements, or even in-park displays without any compensation to the original creators.
Moreover, the platform’s broad criteria for what constitutes a “Disney memory” means that a wide range of content could be subject to Disney’s ownership. This includes not just moments captured within the parks but also related experiences such as road trips, hotel stays, and even themed parties at home. The potential for Disney to amass a vast library of user-generated content is enormous, and the ethical considerations of such a practice are worth pondering.
For example, imagine a family who uploads a video of their child’s first visit to Disneyland. While the family might be thrilled to share this milestone with the Disney community, they might be less enthusiastic about seeing their child’s image used in a national advertising campaign without their explicit consent or any form of compensation.
Additionally, the platform encourages users to interact and connect, fostering a sense of community. However, this also means that personal content is more widely disseminated, increasing the risk of misuse or unauthorized sharing. Users must weigh the joy of sharing their Disney experiences against the potential loss of control over their personal media.
In conclusion, DisneyParks represents a wholesome foray into social media, offering fans a dedicated space to celebrate their love for Disney. However, the platform’s terms of service and the implications of content ownership warrant careful consideration. While the opportunity to contribute to Disney’s marketing efforts might appeal to some, others may find the trade-off in privacy and control too steep a price to pay.
Via Gearlog
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