Time-Warner and Disney will be the first media companies to test YouTube's new video identification technology, reports Reuters.

The new system uses fingerprinting technology that builds a database of video characteristics to identify infringing clips.
Once a clip has been found, the copyright owner has the opportunity to delete it or get revenue from it via YouTube ads. Such a system could alleviate problems media companies have had with YouTube by putting control of proprietary content back into owners' hands.

The test-level software was developed with Disney and Warner Bros. specifically in mind. If all goes well it could be offered to other media companies by year's end.

The system was developed in-house by Google engineers and will be ready for testing in about a month.