Warner Music muted on YouTube by Google

After failing to come to a financial agreement with Warner Music Group; Google, YouTube's parent company, pulled or silenced YouTube videos that feature Warner Music.

The match between Warner and Google has been ongoing, and artists, including Neil Young, have come out in defense of the music powerhouse, saying the company needs to protect the rights of artists, and that artists and Warner need to be compensated. The list of artists under Warner and its labels is long and includes AC/DC, Motley Crue, Madonna, Phil Collins, and Missy Elliott.

Fans and amateur video makers are posting clips expressing their disappointment with both Google and Warner on YouTube. A user at YouTube, who goes by the name JulietOriginals, said a video clip of her singing a Christmas song was pulled from the site because Warner owned the rights to the carol. In a video where she discussed her disappointment and fear, the young girl read an e-mail from Google that said: "This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material based on the third-party notification by Warner Music Group that this material is infringing."

It was at first unclear who pulled the plug on the music, but Warner has confirmed that both companies are responsible. It's in both companies' interests to come to an agreement.


Reaching an agreement with Google will give Warner access to YouTube's 100 million viewers. In January alone, online users viewed 14.8 billion videos on YouTube, according to comScore. Google has 43 percent of the online video-viewing market share, and 99 percent of the videos viewed are from YouTube.

YouTube users are urging the two companies to hurry up and finalize a deal.
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