Independent Music Labels Accuse Youtube Of Strong Arm Tactics

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It seems Youtube is offering a lot less money in the can for independent label signed artists than it offers the Major labels 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27694353

Musicians have asked the EU to intervene in a row over the rates YouTube is offering small music labels to include them in a new service.
Singer Billy Bragg and Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien are among those accusing Google-owned business of trying to "strong-arm" independent labels into accepting low fees.

YouTube already pays what are probably the lowest rates in the business for music labels' videos," said Chris Cooke, the "Complete Music Update" site's business editor.
"The majors and independents agreed to that because YouTube isn't just a revenue stream, it's one of the most important promotional platforms in music today.
"But what the indies are getting really angry about is that YouTube seems to be threatening to withdraw this powerful promotional platform if they don't sign up to the new audio service - a service that will be going head-to-head with Spotify, Deezer et cetera while, as we understand it, paying considerably lower royalties."

What a suprise 

As always the selfish get more greedy and the folks who actually have to do some work for a living get shafted by a company that makes approximately 2 billion + a year in profits. Whilst I don't usually side with the recording industry folks in this case I feel its only fair to do so as youtube's whole business model is based on using the content of others to get rich, its only fair they put something a bit more substantial back.

[GhostShip]

A bit more on this topic from another perspective.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/06/23/youtube_indie_record_companies_brouhaha/

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Things are still going strong on the Youtube v Independent labels front

http://rt.com/news/170516-youtube-record-labels-videos/

YouTube has postponed a debated plan to take off videos by certain labels from the platform, after a major outcry both from the creative community and European regulators. A fortnight ago, the company warned that “in a matter of days” it would start deleting videos from several record labels that refused to sign new licensing terms. However, the events that followed forced YouTube to backtrack.

Impala, a trade body for independent music companies, last week filed a complaint with the European Commission, urging it to investigate if Google-owned YouTube was abusing a dominant market position in its dealings with small labels.

“This is a crucial moment for the development of the online music market with European services leading the charge. What kind of legacy will Europe give those companies? How does Europe want its artists and consumers to be treated? We look to [European] Commissioner [Joaquín] Almunia to take urgent action. It's red card time,” Helen Smith, executive chair of Impala, said, as quoted on the group’s website.

Lets hope the delay can be used to broker a new deal that both sides can live with. From these early moves by youtube to move into the download vendor marketplace I think it a clear signal that folks are in future going to be expected to fork out for what they currently get for free.