Advertisement

Why all free music may soon disappear from YouTube

For many young people, free music on sites like YouTube is a standard way to sample new songs – but it could be about to end.

A coalition of copyright holders has appealed to the European Council for tougher regulation on copyrighted material available free via sites such as YouTube and Facebook.

The open letter was backed by record labels, film bodies and publishers across Europe has called for compulsory licensing of copyright material on sites such as YouTube.

The letter says: "We represent musical, audio-visual, literary, visual authors; performers; book, press, musical, scientific, technical and medical publishers; recorded music, film and TV producers; football leagues; broadcasters; distributors and photo agencies".

For many young people, free music on sites like YouTube is a standard way to sample new songs – but it could be about to end. Photo: AP
For many young people, free music on sites like YouTube is a standard way to sample new songs – but it could be about to end. Photo: AP

"These are at the very heart of Europe’s creative sector.

"We have formed an alliance to campaign for a solution to a major problem which is holding back our sector and jeopardizing future sustainability – the Transfer of Value, otherwise known as the Value Gap.

"User uploaded content services have become vast distributors of our creative works e.g. film, music, photos, broadcasts, text and sport content – all while refusing to negotiate fair or any copyright licences with us as right holders."