easier than ever. But some streaming services don’t pay artists fairly.
Some companies are trying to make it right. But others, like YouTube, abuse the law. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act needs to be updated.
“The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is broken and no longer works for creators.”
“In a world in which few people are paying for music, it is imperative for companies that generate enormous revenues, such as YouTube, to support the musicians and artists who have made that platform what it is today.”
Some streaming services negotiate fair market deals and license the music they distribute. But others that rely on users to upload music, like YouTube, claim they don’t need a license, hiding behind the outdated DMCA law in the U.S. and similar laws in Europe to get away with it. The result? Services like YouTube reap benefits from distributing thousands of songs uploaded illegally every day.
That’s called a value gap, and it’s a problem. YouTube is the most popular music listening service in the world, and it’s pocketing millions by exploiting legal loopholes and shortchanging artists of their fair share.
“I love YouTube, but I think it is underpaying and getting away with it. I know the truth hurts, but someone’s got to tell it.”
It’s up to us to make sure the future is bright for the next generation of songwriters and musicians so they can stop fighting for scraps and focus on making great music.
Join the thousands of music creators and their fans worldwide who are coming together to update the DMCA in the U.S. and clarify the copyright law in Europe to make the music economy stronger, more lasting, and more fair.
