Negotiations between the Performing Rights Society (PRS) and internet broadcasting site Youtube are ongoing, despite the recent row between the two bodies.
The internet has revolutionised the music industry. Suddenly, bands can release their own material in an easier fashion than ever before and, conversely, fans can download as much music as they want.
All of which has left major labels in a very sticky situation. With more and more new groups taking the DIY option, and with fewer and fewer fans paying full whack for their music kick, an increasing emphasis has been placed on broadcast rights.
Internet site Youtube is at the centre of this royalties row. The Performing Rights Society claim that their members are owed money from their songs being played on the site. Negotiations between the two sides were frosty to say the least, before Youtube walked away from the discussions and pulled thousands of videos from their site – prompting protests from Radiohead and Death Cab For Cutie, amongst others.
Shocked, the PRS requested more meetings and it seems that the two have been able to find some common ground.
The Performing Rights Society has been holding out for a better pay deal for artists whose videos are available to watch on the video site, while Youtube chiefs argue that they simply cannot pay these fees – and that the site effectively advertises music.
Speaking to BBC 6Music, Youtube’s Patrick Walker claimed that the PRS was “good partner” and that the two were making headway on a new agreement.
“With the labels everything is great. We’re working very hard to come to an arrangement with PRS and we won’t strike a deal unless it makes economic sense,” said the internet guru.
He added: “They’ve been a good partner in the negotiations and we’re trying to come up with something that makes sense for everyone involved.
“Ultimately no one wins if the videos stay off the service, so we’re trying to come up with a win-win scenario.”
One solution could be for Youtube to structure it’s site differently. “We’re looking at lots of different ways for artists, labels and different content creators, monetise their content” confirmed Walker.
“One is through the content they upload directly. We can run advertisements against that. The other is through links that send people off to download tracks through ITunes or Amazon. So we’re helping drive off-line sales. And then we’re also developing technology that will identify commercial music in user submitted videos.”
Discussions between the PRS and Youtube are ongoing.
