Fair Play for Creators

This is more capitalist greed and theft on the part of Google - how would they feel if their "life's work as Internet Entrepreneurs" were stolen and copied for gain by composers/ songwriters?

It's time for change. Without doing something drastic, no change will occur.

I wholeheartedly support this but still believe that we are nowhere near a viable industry model. There needs to be a radical change.

Why one of the most famous and lucrative businesses in the world won't pay for having music played on their site is ridiculous. The fact that musicians make this music and generally come out with the least gain from their efforts is quite frankly outrageous. One of the major reasons why YouTube has gained so many visitors/impressions is because of music videos and they won't pay? Unbelievable.

I guess in today's self-centered world we all need to understand that 'where you stand depends on where you sit' - so Google have one viewpoint and we have another. But the core issue here is quite simple - you pay for what you get. Play Fair Google! (good angle for a song there! - who wants to co-write it!!)

The future looks bleak - the next generation expect their music for free, let's hope government is on our side and that kids don't get into auto generated software music that has no writer...

This whole fiasco is ridiculous. Musicians and composers do actually need paying so stop trying to duck out of it. It reflects extremely badly on Google.

I think this is awesome - thanks for making this happen!

Music and music videos are the life of you tube, a deal should be worked out that is fair for everyone and allows the continued input and creativity of musicians. YouTube is a massive business that exists largely because of its musical content, it is only fair that this is paid for. Without the music I doubt YouTube would continue with its current success and would become a fairly dull place to get fleetingly amusing video/sound bites and not much more.

Time that the online world recognised that content must be paid for ...period

Definitely support this stance. YouTube isn't in profit but Google makes good money from the advertising and data collected from it. Music is not free! They want it? Then a fair price should be paid for it.

YouTube broadcast music videos. They should pay a reasonable fee for their content. The internet allows millions the freedom of watching and listening to so many different kinds of music which is a wonderful thing, but it cannot ignore the people that create this music in the first place. All we need is fair royalty payment agreement for artists from the Internet!

It always seems that the creators of music, the writers and musicians, are always the last in line to be rewarded for their efforts. For years we have been exploited by major record companies and now Google continue the system. Without the music element there would be no YouTube. Who the hell wants to see endless You've Been Framed clips?

Writers spend a lot of time and effort composing a song, without the writers there would be no music to listen to and download, why shouldn't you tube pay a royalty, Google make vast amounts of money, do companies get free advertising? I think not.

Well done - right behind you all your hard work.

Thank you for helping us getting a step closer to a level playing field.

YouTube broadcast - or provide the facility to broadcast. - and broadcasters worldwide pay royalties. Simple as.

We're not asking for the world, just a small share in Google's advertising profits. Their supports who log on to our music and enjoy it would support us on this. It's only fair.

Pay the rate Google, we spend our lives writing music / songs for the constant regeneration of the business as well as our own livelihoods. Enough people take from this business without contributing, so get on the right side of the fence.

I support your position.

Google are currently asking for something for nothing, if they get away with not paying the going rate for music it will set a dangerous precedent, if Google don't pay their royalties why would anyone else? If you create something you should be paid your dues.

I think that European countries should unite on this issue and dictate to Google how much they have to pay. People say that Google is a business, not a charity. The same applies to music creators. Unfortunately, sometimes you need legislation and government intervention to prevent greed...this is an obvious case for greed. The same applies to rates paid for licenses and fees, the guidelines set by PRS need to become enforced minimum standards.

I like many members have until now received a ludicrous sum from the site. A small fixed sum for each view should be set. When people can view a video 10 times on YouTube, they are unlikely to buy it so it would make sense for the site to be subscription lead.

I cannot imagine what reason stands behind Google's argument. They are making money through using other people's material. It is only fair that a minor share of the profits made thereof goes to the owner of the rights.

You wouldn't ask a plumber or an electrician to come to your home and work for nothing, so why should a musician be expected to give away their skills, time & music.

I totally support the campaign "Fair Play for Creators". It is appalling to think that internet giants have the power to prevent creative artists from receiving their rightful royalties to make their living.

Google make millions (probably an under estimation) from music lovers the world over, they should pay the fair amount, I find it infuriating that they think they can bypass PRS for Music.

In this time of "crisis" when we are all suffering from worthless paper being traded, surely Google could pay a small fee for something tangible and made by real people for everyone's pleasure.

YouTube profits millions from using other people's music, because lots of people use YouTube to listen favorite songs or watch favorite video clips. So, it is fair, that YouTube pay a reasonable rate for that usage.

If YouTube plays music then Google should pay up, just like any other restaurant or public place that has to pay a license... I mean, it's not like they can't afford to! Spread the wealth guys! Help to level the playing field... this is the 21st century, not the dark ages! We're all in the same boat after all.

YouTube and others are profiting from content created by others. Give the content creators fair remuneration.

Keep up the good work!

Google wants to have content to run YouTube. Music is part of that content. YouTube do not own this content thus they should pay for using it. It is amazing that they don't grasp the unfairness of their stance! Let us all stick together and fight for our rights to be paid for our work and our talent!

We wholeheartedly support PRS for Music in their endeavors to have Google play for the use of our music. Individual songwriters with rent and a weekly food bill cannot afford to subsidies the share price of giant corporations.

My work is heavily featured on services such as YouTube. To date my music has received well over half a million plays on YouTube, for which I have received not a penny. I am delighted that music can reach fans in this way but believe it is outrageous that a huge profit making business like Google is allowed to flout intellectual property rights in such an arrogant manner.

YouTube would be a very dull place without music and it is only fair to pay for its use.

Sound is one of our key senses so we cannot lose sight of the value music adds to any visual medium? Internet broadcasters large and small have to respect copyright for music and pictures to keep creativity alive and kicking?

I think it's only fair that we are paid for our work that's played on YouTube. I support this.

Google is a multi-billion dollar company, it seems ludicrous that they can't come to some compromise with prs/mcps to provide at least some royalties to the creators of the music, however small.

The great majority of artists in the music business struggle to earn a living. Many composers need to earn royalties by way of other artists or media broadcasting their works. The stance taken by You Tube not to pay royalties for music is unethical and shows scant respect for the music profession.

Music enriches almost every life and all that we writers are asking for is to have that fact respected and for us to earn an honest living. YouTube undoubtedly has a big part to play in the future of music but in turn, it needs that music in order to be successful. Just pay a fair amount and let's all get back to doing what we all do best! Entertainment is a wonderful thing in this world, let's value and respect it properly.

While I may not benefit myself from any revenues from YouTube I do support the arguments put forward by PRS for Music members in general. If iTunes can come to an accommodation to charge 79p for individual song downloads (which I use regularly) I don't see why Google can't do the same, even if it is at a lower rate. The whole thrust of free downloads threatens to make the creation of music a hobby rather than a profession.

Is it that much to ask for a few pennies a play???

I completely endorse the Fair Play for Creators campaign, royalties are a right, and as such should be paid to composers and lyricists accordingly.

Let's not beat about the bush. Google are making money from stolen goods. It would not be an offence, if a shop were found to be selling stolen goods, to say that they couldn't make a profit if they paid the owners. Let Google shut down music clips, if they keep doing it they will only damage their own business.

Music is not for free. Music creators need to earn their living, like everyone else. The power of music to transform mood, shape lives, mark events and to endure over decades or centuries is only possible because the creators are rewarded for their efforts. Making this valuable commodity free devalues it. Stop the erosion now, or lose the art altogether.

I would be more than willing to suspend my YouTube channel in support of PRS for Music’s campaign, just set the date! I say we stand firm, united and ride any immediate hardship, it's our obligation to future writers. Penny per play... that's what I say!