Google Using YouTube Threat As Leverage For Cheaper Streaming Rights

Sockatume writes: "According to a press release issued by WIN, a group representing independent musicians, Google is threatening to de-list musicians' videos from YouTube if they do not agree to the terms for its unannounced streaming music service. The template contracts issued to musicians are described as 'undervalued' relative to other streaming services, and are not open for negotiation. The press release was issued by WIN but rescinded when Google agreed to further discussions; The Associated Free Press and The Guardian have published stories based on that original release."

Antitrust violation

[Anonymous Coward]

Pushing a new service (streaming) by exploiting a market-dominating position in another area (video sharing on YouTube) sounds like a gross violation of antitrust laws.

Re:a group representing independent musicians

[Critical Facilities]

As a composer and a musician, I totally, 100% agree with you. This really isn't a big deal. It's a non-exclusive agreement. If you don't like the terms, sign with someone else, or start your own thing. No one's being backed into any corners here. Plus, there's also the aspect of considering that even though it is alleged that YouTube is going to pay less than other services, the amount of traffic on YouTube compared to other sites could quite possibly generate significantly more "sales" to an artist, so really it becomes a question of price vs volume (sales volume, not sonic volume).

Re:worked in the old days

[geekoid]

Let me ask you a question:
you can sell a product for a dollar, 40% off which gets eaten up by middle men.
OR
you can sell it for 70 cents, directly to your customers; which makes more money for you?
What are the middle men going to try to do to keep 'their' 40% Maybe put a bad spin on it and claim the musician are worse off? maybe lie to the musician to generate outrage?

You letting someone feed right into your narrative and you keep lapping it up.

Re:a group representing independent musicians

[sjames]

See this [techdirt.com].