Billy Bragg is among a number of independent artists and labels urging the European Commission (EC) to take action against YouTube contracts.
The comments follow reports that YouTube is planning on creating a new music streaming service and is threatening to block the video content of those acts refusing to agree to its terms.
Radiohead guitarist and chair of the Featured Artist Coalition (FAC) Ed O’Brien and IMPALA executive chair Helen Smith joined Billy in criticising the reported actions of YouTube and parent-company Google.
Billy said: ‘YouTube are shooting themselves in the foot with their attempt to strong-arm independent labels into signing up to such low rates. They’re in danger of launching a streaming service that lacks the innovative and cutting edge sounds that independent artists bring. Would music fans be willing to pay for such an inferior product? I don’t think so.’
Ed added: ‘Indie artists and labels are at the cutting edge of the future of music. To restrict them in this way is to risk creating an internet just for the superstars and big businesses. Without the innovation and risk-taking of the indie sector we lose a vital ingredient in pushing us all forward.’
The independent label sector is calling on the EC to prevent YouTube from implementing any blocking measures against those acts and labels refusing to agree to its contracts.
Billy has been a particularly vocal figure on recent issues surrounding the music industry.
He recently called on record contracts to be updated to ensure artists received the correct remuneration for the digital use of their music. Read the full story.
The comments follow reports that YouTube is planning on creating a new music streaming service and is threatening to block the video content of those acts refusing to agree to its terms.
Radiohead guitarist and chair of the Featured Artist Coalition (FAC) Ed O’Brien and IMPALA executive chair Helen Smith joined Billy in criticising the reported actions of YouTube and parent-company Google.
Billy said: ‘YouTube are shooting themselves in the foot with their attempt to strong-arm independent labels into signing up to such low rates. They’re in danger of launching a streaming service that lacks the innovative and cutting edge sounds that independent artists bring. Would music fans be willing to pay for such an inferior product? I don’t think so.’
Ed added: ‘Indie artists and labels are at the cutting edge of the future of music. To restrict them in this way is to risk creating an internet just for the superstars and big businesses. Without the innovation and risk-taking of the indie sector we lose a vital ingredient in pushing us all forward.’
The independent label sector is calling on the EC to prevent YouTube from implementing any blocking measures against those acts and labels refusing to agree to its contracts.
Billy has been a particularly vocal figure on recent issues surrounding the music industry.
He recently called on record contracts to be updated to ensure artists received the correct remuneration for the digital use of their music. Read the full story.
