Cuban to eat his words?

It was only a week ago that Mark Cuban declared that only a "moron" would buy YouTube. Now the WSJ is reporting that Google is maneuvering to do just that.

"Google Inc. is in talks to acquire the wildly popular video Web site YouTube Inc. in a deal that could reach $1.6 billion, according to reports Friday.

The Wall Street Journal reported the possible acquisition by Mountain View-based Google.

In September, San Mateo-based YouTube reached a partnership with Warner Music Group for users to upload video from Warner Music and other labels to YouTube regularly, and Warner Music will share in the revenue created through the sale of advertising, which will be featured around the videos.

YouTube is working on an advanced content identification system to track the videos and manage payments sent to the labels.

In addition to the videos themselves, Warner Music will distribute behind-the-scenes footage and other original programming. YouTube users will also be able to incorporate music from Warner artists in videos that they create.

Earlier this year there were rumors that some major media companies were interested in YouTube, but company CEO Chad Hurley said it was not for sale and was considering a possible IPO."