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Anger from users as YouTube blocks music videos in the UK

A disagreement over licensing between YouTube and the Performing Rights Society (PRS)  leads to YouTube blocking most music videos for UK users.

The current license from the PRS to YouTube has expired, but talks appear to have broken down for renewal.  From late on Monday many UK users logged on to YouTube only to find they couldn’t watch the majority of music videos.

Patrick Walker, YouTube’s Director of video partnerships for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) has written a blog post in response on the YouTube website where he states: “We’re still working with PRS for Music in an effort to reach mutually acceptable terms for a new licence, but until we do so we will be blocking premium music videos in the UK that have been supplied or claimed by record labels.”

He adds: “This was a painful decision, and we know the significant disappointment it will cause within the UK. And to be clear, this is not an issue with the record labels, with most of whom we have strong relationships.”

The PRS also released a statement saying they were “outraged on behalf of consumers and songwriters that Google has chosen to close down access to music videos on YouTube in the UK.”

Steve Porter CEO PRS for Music said: “We were shocked and disappointed to receive a call late this afternoon informing us of Google’s drastic action which we believe only punishes British consumers and the songwriters whose interests we protect and represent.”

They added: “PRS for Music has not requested Google to do this and urges them to reconsider their decision as a matter of urgency.”

The PRS provides a music license that allows a large range of music to be played, performed or reproduced.

On a sidenote, many small businesses have complained on forums and to their local chamber of commerce that the PRS has contacted them and pursued them for money.

Some companies who play music through a radio at a workplace which could be heard by employees found themselves contacted by the PRS and told they need a licence to play music.  It appears there isn’t widespread knowledge about requiring a music license like there is about TV licenses.

Many YouTube users have expressed their outrage on the YouTube website by commenting on Patrick Walker’s blog posts, which can be found here.