YouTube is ‘wrong’ to threaten to remove video content from independent artists due to a royalties dispute, the BPI’s CEO has said.
A recent report from the Financial Times claims that YouTube could begin blocking content from those labels that have not signed up to terms for a new music streaming and subscription service ‘within days’.
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.’
Previously, the independent music community led by the likes of Billy Bragg and Featured Artist Coalition chair (and Radiohead guitarist) Ed O’Brien called on the European Commission to take action against the YouTube contracts. Read the full M story.
YouTube is reported to have negotiated separate agreements with the three major labels – Sony, Warner and Universal – over royalties but not yet with the independent sector.
Earlier in the year, YouTube’s vice-president of content, Tom Pickett, told a conference at midem that the business has paid $1bn (£612, 332, 000) to the music industry over the last few years.
A recent report from the Financial Times claims that YouTube could begin blocking content from those labels that have not signed up to terms for a new music streaming and subscription service ‘within days’.
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.’
Previously, the independent music community led by the likes of Billy Bragg and Featured Artist Coalition chair (and Radiohead guitarist) Ed O’Brien called on the European Commission to take action against the YouTube contracts. Read the full M story.
YouTube is reported to have negotiated separate agreements with the three major labels – Sony, Warner and Universal – over royalties but not yet with the independent sector.
Earlier in the year, YouTube’s vice-president of content, Tom Pickett, told a conference at midem that the business has paid $1bn (£612, 332, 000) to the music industry over the last few years.
