Does Content ID exist because otherwise Google would run afoul of 17 USC 512(c)(1), that people could argue that Google is "aware of facts or circumstances from which infringing activity is apparent" or something, because even the general public knows that lots of YouTube videos use other people's music?
It doesn't seem like it's in Google's inherent engineering interest to build this system. Of course, that doesn't distinguish from "the law makes them" and "their business relationships make them", but the hypothesis that Google feels beholden to other companies needs a little more evidence.
For instance, Google's 2013 revenue was $50 billion, and $66 billion in 2014, and the entire music industry's 2013 revenue was $7 billion (2014 data isn't out yet). Placating the music industry doesn't seem like particularly well-directed greed.
It doesn't seem like it's in Google's inherent engineering interest to build this system. Of course, that doesn't distinguish from "the law makes them" and "their business relationships make them", but the hypothesis that Google feels beholden to other companies needs a little more evidence.
For instance, Google's 2013 revenue was $50 billion, and $66 billion in 2014, and the entire music industry's 2013 revenue was $7 billion (2014 data isn't out yet). Placating the music industry doesn't seem like particularly well-directed greed.