Microsoft has decided to close down its user generated video uploading service, Soapbox. The software giant launched Soapbox three years ago in a desperate attempt to compete with YouTube. Initially aimed to attract larger number of audience the service couldn't impress the odds and never came out of its beta version.

Soapbox is part of the MSN Video service and allows the users to upload and share their videos online.

In an email, the MSN video team informed the Soapbox users of closing of the service. Here is an abstract from that email:

MSN will no longer offer Soapbox, the user generated video service within MSN Video, as of August 31, 2009. Beginning on July 29, you will no longer be able to upload videos to Soapbox. People who have uploaded videos to Soapbox will have until August 31, 2009 to download them.

The Soapbox users will be able to download their videos on and after July 29. The videos can be downloaded by logging into the profile and rolling the mouse pointer over the video thumbnail and clicking on the download link which automatically appears on the video as stated by the MSN video team here.

MSN Video, however, will continue working with some additional features. Bloggers and citizen jounalists will be allowed to upload and share videos with MSN users while the video content offering may be reduced to News, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Finance.