YouTube’s head of content and business operations, Robert Kyncl, has revealed some artists could be removed from the site in just a few days’ time. The site is launching a new music service this summer, and there are still labels that have refused to agree to licensing terms.
Kyncl told Financial Times that artists such as Adele would not only be blocked from the new service but from the free service, too. User generated videos will still show up, however, the artists will not get paid.
Sony, Warner and Universal, have all agreed to the terms of this new subscription service, which will allow users to watch videos without ads, but there is still 5 percent of the industry that have not agreed.
According to Businessweek, a number of indie labels are refusing to sign and waiting for a better offer.
In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, Rich Bengloff , president of the American Association of Independent Music, claimed YouTube is “attempting to force contract terms upon the independent sector.”