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Justin.tv CEO Michael Seibel detailed how the personal video-broadcasting startup plans to break the profit barrier. His scheme? Setting up a transaction system so that users can pay to view content. He pointed to live sports as an example of something people have been willing to pay for in the past. Justin.tv does make it easy for anyone with a webcam (or video cable) to pirate broadcasts of sporting events.

However, signing distribution deals with American big leagues is rather more complicated — and expensive. The leagues have preferred to own their own Web outlets. Major League Baseball has nearly a decade of experience doing just that. Justin.tv's enablement of real-time piracy will not win it many clubhouse friends. And ultimately, why would anyone pay to watch crappy Flash video when they can get HD over satellite and cable? (Photo by miss karen)