YouTube may soon start blocking music videos from independent labels

Some of these smaller labels say they are being forced to accept “highly unfavorable terms,” while some independent artists have openly blasted YouTube’s push to force them into licensing deals with such disproportionate terms. “I don’t know why they’ve opened this hornet’s nest right now, apart from corporate hubris,” Billy Bragg said. “I don’t think they realize what a stupid thing they’ve done.”

It’s a convoluted struggle, but the most immediate effect is that videos from acts like Radiohead, Adele, and Jack White could shortly be removed from the site. Some of the smaller labels, like Bloodshot Records, have already been lumped into the deal through their associations with the Warner-owned Alternative Distribution Alliance. But while some videos will also still be available on YouTube via the Vevo channel (where most “major” indie artists have clips), live performances or acoustic sets that have been exclusively licensed to indie labels would also have to come down. It’s also not clear how these new terms would affect unsigned bands.

In an interview with the Financial Times, YouTube’s head of content Robert Kyncl said videos from independent labels could be blocked “in a matter of days,” should they and YouTube not come to some sort of agreement.