It seems the legal battles and disputes between companies is going to again have the bloody aftermath trickle down to the consumers. The most recent event is regarding YouTube, and the Performing Right Society (PRS). The news comes from BBC News, and only affects those living in the UK. Starting...

later on Monday, thousands upon thousands of videos will be unavailable to UK customers, and apparently the PRS is outraged with the decision. Steve Porter, head of the society, said that he was also shocked and disappointed by YouTube's actions. "This action has been taken without any consultation with PRS for Music and in the middle of negotiations between the two parties," read a PRS statement. They also added, "Google has told us they are taking this step because they wish to pay significantly less than at present to the writers of the music on which their service relies, despite the massive increase in YouTube viewing."

Patrick Walker, YouTube's director of video management, called the move "regrettable". Apparently, though, the PRS demanded fees that were vastly higher than the previous agreement, and YouTube did not believe it was worth paying such high amounts.

YouTube and the PRS may come to an agreement in the end, but for now, UK users will have to do without music videos, as of 1800GMT, according to the BBC. YouTube is also unimpressed with the decision by the PRS to not inform others which artists will be covered by the proposed agreement; "That's like asking a consumer to buy a blank CD without knowing what musicians are on it." Hopefully this dispute will be worked out soon, as many of YouTube's users will be left unimpressed themselves.

Posted: Mar 11, 2009 10:30 am