Digital Media

Sara Kimberley, mediaweek.co.uk, 11 March 2009, 3:50pm

Google in talks to reinstate YouTube music videos

LONDON - Google said today it was in "positive and engaged" talks with the Performing Rights Society (PRS) to reinstate thousands of music videos it pulled from YouTube earlier this week, following a fallout over licence terms.

YouTube: talking with Performing Rights Society

YouTube and PRS for Music - the UK's main songwriters' collection society - both said they would hold talks over the next few days to reach an agreement over licence fees and terms.

A spokesperson for PRS said its meetings were "positive", adding: "We are committed to ensuring our 60,000 songwriter and composer members receive a fair deal, and that UK consumers continue to enjoy music videos on YouTube."

Earlier this week, YouTube blocked thousands of premium music videos from its site following a hike in PRS licence fees, which it claimed was economically unsustainable.

Patrick Walker, YouTube director of video partnerships, EMEA, also claimed that PRS was unwilling to tell YouTube what songs were included in the licence, hindering its ability to identify which songs are popular on YouTube.

On Monday, PRS for Music said it was outraged by YouTube's decision to pull music videos from its site, and said Google wanted to pay songwriters less than it did at present, despite the "massive increase" in YouTube viewing.