Jazzy Julie Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 LONDON — Google said Monday it will block U.K. users from watching music videos on its popular video-sharing site YouTube after negotiations with Britain's music royalty-collecting body broke down. Google said it would begin blocking British users starting Monday night. The Internet titan said it knew the move would cause "significant disappointment." But it said its hand was forced by PRS for Music, which it said is asking for royalties that would cause Google to lose money every time a video was played on YouTube. "Our previous license from PRS for Music has expired, and we've been unable so far to come to an agreement to renew it on terms that are economically sustainable for us," Google said in a statement. Until a solution is found, it added, "we will be blocking premium music videos in the UK that have been supplied or claimed by record labels." PRS for Music, which collects money on behalf of writers and publishers worldwide, said it was outraged by Google's move. "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," the group said in a statement. Neither group revealed how much money is at stake in their negotiations. YouTube has become an increasingly popular destination for record labels squeezed by declining sales for compact discs. The website has deals with three of the four major record labels but some rights-holders have balked at their cut of the advertising revenue. In December, Warner Music pulled all of its music from YouTube, saying the payments it received did not fairly compensate the label or its artists and songwriters. It was not clear how long the music videos would stay blocked. Both PRS for Music and Google said they hoped their dispute could be resolved quickly. The video Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love, licensed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment U.K. Ltd., which has garnered more than 83 million hits, was still visible from the U.K. late Monday. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. How unfair. Ive just tried it now tho, i typed in switch and it comes up as this is not available in your country, but then i tried other switch videos and found one that worked. This is a stupid move, youtube is great advertisment for artists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevTastic Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Its balls, im just glad they aren't taking stuff down from independant artists in a hurry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turntable Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 lol damn, thats messed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIsqo Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I have the same problem in here with most of the videos. It says not avalilable for ur country. I hate it! Im lucky I can see the videos on Yahoo though.,.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Brakes Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 This sucks big time! I hope this is not a permanent thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Tiger Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Wow, I didn't know you guys had somebody with the power to do that. It seems pretty evil, actually. That doesn't just make the viewers unhappy, but it pisses off the artist and labels as well, who put those videos up themselves. It's a great tool to get your material out there for free. What gives this group the right to take that away on their behalf? It is time for YOU KAYERS to take this to the streets. Not just against youtube, but your government itself. Is a world without music videos on demand a world worth living in? Edited March 11, 2009 by Silver Tiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIsqo Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 There are other pages to see them, youtube is getting more whack every single day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Julie Posted March 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Wow, I didn't know you guys had somebody with the power to do that. It seems pretty evil, actually. That doesn't just make the viewers unhappy, but it pisses off the artist and labels as well, who put those videos up themselves. It's a great tool to get your material out there for free. What gives this group the right to take that away on their behalf? It is time for YOU KAYERS to take this to the streets. Not just against youtube, but your government itself. Is a world without music videos on demand a world worth living in? i know, as a YOU KAYER i think we should speak out against these fascists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigted Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 damn that sucks for y'all Ukers, sure Youtube got a lot of crap but they got a lot of rare dope stuff that don't get any airplay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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