Rich’s Music Notes

After Google’s removal of British artists’ music videos, the UK-based Music Publishers’ Association (MPA) is throwing its weight behind PRS for Music.  Of couse, they helped broker the deal between PRS and YouTube back in 2007 so they are naturally disappointed.

Last.fm has taken sides with YouTube.  “It has been a bold decision for Google but we are all working in a very competitive environment and the fees need to reflect that,” Last.fm cofounder Martin Stiksel told the BBC.  “We have to find commercially workable rates otherwise illegal services will win and take over.”

Pandora.com also sits in the same boat.  Like Last.fm, they play a customized playlist to an internet audience.  They were forced to leave the British market after negotiations broke down with PRS.

Also facing a similar situation is MySpace UK which is a major broadcaster of videos.  They are struggling with their negotiations with PRS.

Maybe the result of all this will be no more music videos for the UK audience.  That should really help record sales.

– Rich Pulham

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.