Censored YouTube

Google-owned YouTube just removed a number of videos for users within the United Kingdom for artists associated with the Performing Rights Society (PRS). This includes over 60,000 artists. The PRS had a licensing agreement with YouTube that just expired. Apparently, PRS asked for much higher rates this time around. That created a stalemate, and YouTube has begun to remove the videos.

So, let’s get this straight. A middle school student in Vietnam could pick up a guitar right now, sing along, videotape the whole thing, and have it be viewable in the United Kingdom on YouTube within the hour. But 60,000 artists associated with the PRS do not have that capability because a deal cannot be reached. Wow.

I understand PRS’s point (click here to read more from their side). They are out there to protect the rights of the artists. And this is a hard battle for them, because where do you draw the line? Where do you give in and collect less money in the name of exposure?

Because two things happen when videos are not available on YouTube when searched. The user goes on to listen to music from a different band, or the user goes to a different site to view the video or listen to the song. So, now, what has the PRS gained except for a number of disturbed music lovers? And what has YouTube gained? Their point is that the requested rates from PRS would actually create a loss if YouTube paid them. But by eliminating this content, they are losing users.

The latest news from the PRS site states that a meeting took place on March 10th. Apparently nothing new occurred because there is nothing new on their site.

Content is king. This impasse is hurting 60,000 artists. PRS is not going to have many friends when people just starting out can get a music video up but established artists can’t.

Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com