Google's sort-of-announced home-video upload service went live Wednesday, in a beta format that currently accepts video contributions but does not yet allow for their viewing.

According to the Google Video FAQ, the company is now accepting video submissions and will review them prior to the next phase, which will allow viewing of contributed videos. The company also said it welcomes any type of contribution, as long as the submitters own the rights, can submit it electronically, and ensure that the material is not "pornographic or obscene."

When asked who would make the determination as to what material was obscene or pornographic, a Google spokesperson said in an email reply: "We will."

Google said people submitting videos will be able to charge viewers a price for watching. All submissions, however, need to allow users to preview the material for free, the site said. Google also said that submitters retain all copyrights to any material submitted.

The service was first announced at the recent national cable trade show in San Francisco, where Google co-founder Larry Page said it was being introduced in part to help the company learn more about how to best implement video searching. Google currently has another beta service that allows users to search the Web for TV programs already online.