I’m no lawyer (though I like to play one on the Internet), but I wonder if Google’s blog posting today on Google Video will create (or draw attention to) any legal exposure for them. They highlight the awesome video of those two Chinese kids singing and another cool video of a guy juggling a soccer ball in Amsterdam.

Both of these clips feature nearly the complete audio for a copyrighted song. Google is hosting the video on their site. Isn’t that bad for Google?

I think Google Video is a great idea, and I’m all for it. In the current IP climate, though, aren’t we going to encounter copyright issues? And wouldn’t the recording industry have a legitimate point in this case?

What’s the answer? Compulsory licensing? Who pays then, Google or the video producer?