YouTube backtracks on blocking indie content, says report

YouTube has decided to delay blocking video content from indie labels unwilling to agree to new licensing terms, a news report has claimed.

Jim Ottewill
  • By Jim Ottewill
  • 4 Jul 2014
  • min read
YouTube has decided to delay blocking video content from indie labels unwilling to agree to new licensing terms, a news report has claimed.

According to the Financial Times, which quoted unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the Google-owned platform has decided to make a ‘last minute u-turn’ and give labels more time to negotiate over its terms.

The dispute between YouTube and the independent label community has flared as the platform looks to add a music subscription service similar to Spotify or Deezer to its offering.

According to reports, YouTube is planning on blocking content from those independent labels unwilling to agree to its news terms surrounding these additions.

The news prompted outcry from the independent community with a number of bodies calling on YouTube to avoid implementing such a block.

Geoff Taylor, BPI chief executive, said: ‘We think it is wrong for YouTube/Google to threaten to ostracise certain independents - denying fans the opportunity to hear their music, and labels and artists the chance to earn a living from it - because they are unwilling to surrender to a take it or leave it ultimatum.

‘As the dominant online video platform, YouTube/Google should negotiate fully and fairly with independents and not misuse its power.’

Read our previous news stories surrounding the dispute.