No More Music Videos on YouTube in the UK: Agreement with PRS falls through
By Alexis • Mar 16th, 2009 • Category: Industry NewsThe world’s leading video sharing portal, YouTube, has recently shocked its UK fans by declaring that its UK web site will not host any music videos. The Google owned web site took this decision because it failed to renew its license due to a disagreement between YouTube and the UK’s Performing Right Society (PRS for Music), which is responsible for collecting licensing fees for artists and labels. Although YouTube wants to continue to serve people in the UK, it cannot do that because of the restrictions imposed by the PRS.
The previous license of YouTube is expired and this time the YouTube says that the PRS is demanding too much for the renewal. This means millions of owners in the UK of YouTube viewing capable phones, like the Nokia N96, will no longer be able to enjoy their music videos. YouTube says it cannot reach a renewal deal because there is no transparency in its deal with the PRS. Moreover, the renewal fee is so high if the YouTube pays it then it will become financially unstable. The PRS has refused to tell Google what songs are included in the license. So the Google finds no valid reason to renew its license which will finally affect the music video fans in UK.
On the other hand PRS justifies itself and the music row by commenting that Google is not willing to pay enough amount for the renewal of its license. According to the PRS foundation, “PRS for Music is outraged on behalf of consumers and songwriters that Google has chosen to close down access to music videos on YouTube in the U.K. Google has told us they are taking this step because they wish to pay significantly less than at present to the writers of the music on which their service relies, despite the massive increase in YouTube viewing.”
Tags for this article: bluetooth peripheral device iphone, iphone bluetooth peripheral device, bluetooth peripheral device ipod touch
