UK Music labels YouTube as ‘exploitative’

Industry body UK Music, headed by Feargal Sharkey, has branded YouTube’s decision to pull all music videos from the site as “cynical and exploitative”.

In a statement the trade body said it was unacceptable for its members’ work to subsidise others’ business models.

UK Music demands Google should pay songwriters and composers the minimum levels requested by collections agency PRS for Music. Last week Google began removing all music videos from its site as a reaction to demands for higher payments from PRS.

A UK Music statement said Google relied on music videos provided by its members to make its profits and added its drastic actions were damaging the industry. “It’s difficult but to interpret Google’s actions this week as anything other than cynical and exploitative. Such unheralded and counter-productive negotiation tactics are not only detrimental to music fans, but also to the UK’s songwriters and composers,” said the statement.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk