YouTube-PRS issue 'could lead to online content shake-up'

The way online content is priced and funded could change following a decision taken by YouTube to remove UK user access to premium music videos.

According to Daniel Booth, deputy editor of internet magazine Web User, this decision - which was made when YouTube and PRS for Music failed to reach a new licensing agreement - could lead to a "reappraisal" of the value of online video content.

He explained that the two parties have "such ridiculously conflicting demands" that there may be a period of transition until a new business model can be agreed.

PRS for Music - which provides the necessary permissions to use music on all forms of multimedia, including television and online video - stated earlier this month that it was "outraged" by the decision to restrict the UK audience's access to online music videos.

On March 9th, it urged Google, which owns YouTube, to overturn the decision as a "matter of urgency".

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.