Warner Brothers and YouTube

[Fletch]

YouTube initially had an agreement with Warner Brothers Music, but talks to renew the deal have forced the removal of thousands of videos that feature music or samples from Warner Brothers artists. As such, users are being targeted that have posted videos at a time when it was allowed for Warner Brothers artists to be featured in videos, but have now had to deal with impending lawsuits through no fault of their own. Thus far, YouTube is trying to do its best to keep from simply removing the videos, including giving users the ability to dispute the claim, using AudioSwap to switch the music, or simply disabling the sound on the video. This deal has shown that although YouTube has acquired the rights to several music labels, these agreements may not last forever, and videos may be in jeopardy of being removed.

Musical Impact: Warner Brothers Music is now one of the major recording labels that has adamantly refused to renew their contract. With the three other labels currently in talks with YouTube about renewing contracts, this might lead to less pressure for them to conform and keep their artists’ music freely available through the video streaming service. However, it currently appears that one of Warner Brothers Music’s Rivals, Sony, is about to sign an agreement with YouTube to keep its material on the website. This will likely cause bad press for Warner Brothers if other major record labels sign on in addition, as they do not want to be the only label to not be actively part of the digital age of music and be part of a site of YouTube’s magnitude.

Technological Impact: YouTube is by far the largest video site on the internet at the moment. With this kind of controversy, however, it might not be for long. Users have already begun flocking to other video sites that have less strict copyright laws or ones that simply are not monitored as heavily in order to experience more freedom in what they are allowed to post. If this trend continues, we may see the downfall of YouTube as the streaming video standard of the internet.

Economic Impact: It appears that this deal simply did not get renewed due to monetary disagreements. When Warner Brothers Music originally made a deal with YouTube, the site was not quite as popular or at the magnitude at which we experience it today. Warner Brothers might also not have anticipated the amount of which their music would be used over the video streaming giant’s website, and may want more money that YouTube may be unwilling to share. If this maintains, it may force other major record labels to look for better deals or more money from YouTube as everyone will want a piece of their success.

As I see it, this is a major step backward for embracing the internet as a medium for both music and technology. I am assuming this is coming down to disagreements on money, but I do not see how Warner Brothers will be able to not attempt to work out a deal if the other labels decide to go forth with YouTube. I want to believe that Warner Brothers is the one being the bad guy here, but with the leverage YouTube has, I'm not necessarily sure they are not giving Warner Brothers their fair share. Thoughts?

 

[CT Chia]

With posting hundreds of videos on YouTube, most of which are either AMVs I have made or smash matches I had to put music to because the original audio wasn't recorded, I have had many videos taken down. These are videos that I have had up for years, only to have them randomly taken down some day.

The process in which it happens is pretty quick too, they just take down the video. They don't say you have a copyright claim, please discuss with them about it. You can dispute a claim, but it's a process you don't want to go through.

Many popular videos have had problems because of this. Scar's latest video, I Killed Mufasa 2, one of the best Melee combo videos ever, was unable to be put on YouTube because of the three songs he used, one fell under copyright. It wasn't even the full song, it was just a section of it. Another video of mine, one of my combo videos: Assistant Sensei (personally my favorite) was unable to be uploaded to YouTube because it opened with a 30 second clip from the office. I tried re-uploading it with text at the bottom saying this clip belongs to NBC Universal, etc, but YouTube's automatic copyright checker still caught it. The process is automated now, and can't check for duration of clips, ways users have been saying that they don't own the material (by text in the video or description), etc.

There should be certain warnings (that are more clear about what is and isn't allowed) and a better process for dealing with copyright claims. There was no support whatsoever I could contact about my video.

 

[Rain(ame)]

The issue here, is that people are trying to attack the internet and the usage of music other than downloading it. There are ways to obtain music from youtube videos put up. Also...if a person wants to hear an album, nowadays they can just make a playlist on youtube and listen to it instead of even downloading it. While a few people are starting to make a habit here, it's not always the case. In some cases, people are just trying to put amazing music to combo videos or AMV's to express their creativity. I know that I've lost most of my AMV's I created to Youtube recently, and didn't even know it at one point.

Despite the fact that our creations are harmless...there are artists out there that truly feel we are doing harm in some way to their music. Evanesence, for example don't want their music used in AMV's. I find that a rather rude request for people who enjoy their music and want to make harmless odes to what they've done. Sometimes it may not be the label, but the artists themselves hiding behind the labels so they won't be looked down upon. Also, with the economy the way it is...people will go sue-happy in order to make more money. It's been hard for music artists nowadays to make a living due to the internet. Although, this is a different debate topic all together.

There are a number of reasons that the copyright situation has happened recently. Distibution of anime is also a situation. Think about it...fansubbers and fandubbers can upload anime on youtube nowadays. The companies themselves have expressed how hard it is to compete with things being easily distributed nowadays.


In essence, yes..Sony is the badguy, but the public, in part are also badguys. Then we have another subject all together which is the other companies and such with quality. Youtube, in reality is caught in the middle. Even though we're rather frustrated and pointing fingers at youtube, they are the innocent middle man in this whole situation.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

i have bought musik online because of youtube, really couldn't youtube just say it's like an ad for a lot of songs it does have the best quaitly anyways and i understand why they would want to take the office scene off to avoid showing the show.

 

[Rain(ame)]

i have bought musik online because of youtube, really couldn't youtube just say it's like an ad for a lot of songs it does have the best quaitly anyways and i understand why they would want to take the office scene off to avoid showing the show.

While I agree with the part of the further advertisement of music, there are some who probably feel they don't need it. The Black Eyed Peas for example: Their music can't be used on youtube. In essence...they don't really need further advertisement, but it's free...it can't really hurt. Let's take t he opposite, the Terriyaki Boyz: They aren't HUGELY known in the US outside of 2 or 3 songs. (If you haven't seen Tokyo Drift...it's possible you may only know 1.) They....although not GREAT artists, could use the extra exposure.

If you look at both sides of the mirror...the people who don't care won't complain. You can put Mariah Carey stuff up there, and Beyonce'. You can also put underground artists...those who just aren't as well known on Youtube and they won't care....it's free advertisement. Now some artists may feel that it's taking away from their Market because you could just find the name of the song and download it. End of story. While not EVERYONE is like that, (After hearing French Artist, Yelle, I was sure to buy her album) it could hurt sales in general. A lot of artists are looking at it that way. Also...more importantly, a lot of COMPANIES are looking at it that way.


The part about the office, however is just silly. There is no foundation of claim against it. Let's think about this for a moment: A 30 second clip showing how funny the office can be would make a person MORE interested in watching the show. It's not like they're putting a WHOLE episode up. A clip of a show sparks interest and will get a show more views. I find it to be in a different ball park from music or even anime, because it's readily avaiable on TV. If a show could use more viewers...why not show a clip or two of it? Especially if it's an old episode? I find it rather hard to believe that things are going to affect the ratings because a clip from a random episode is going to be shown somewhere.