Value Gap Task EC to Stop Streaming Sites

Copyrights holders could force Facebook and YouTube to stop free music streaming.

16:39 05 February 2018

A group of copyright holders has appealed to the European Council to force user-generated sites to stop free music streaming claiming that it seriously hurts the industry. The Value Gap coalition calls for tougher regulations as well as compulsory licensing for user uploaded content.

 

In a letter to the European Council, the group said: 'We have formed an alliance to campaign for a solution to a major problem which is holding back our sector and jeopardising future sustainability,'

 

'User uploaded content services have become vast distributors of our creative works e.g. film, music, photos, broadcasts, text and sport content - all while refusing to negotiate fair or any copyright licences with us as right holders.'

 

The appeal has been brought to the council despite measures taken by YouTube and Facebook to stop the spread of copyright protected content. The two giant firms let users flag-up copyright-protected content being shared for free.

 

YouTube itself states, 'If your copyright-protected work was posted on YouTube without authorisation, you may submit a copyright infringement notification.

 

'Make sure that you consider whether fair use, fair dealing or a similar exception to copyright applies before you submit.

 

'These requests should only be sent in by the copyright owner or an agent authorised to act on the owner's behalf.'