Youtube ordered to pull down videos from Warner Music Group

In an interesting development of the music industry, Youtube has been ordered by Warner Music to take down all videos of its artist.  The two groups have been in negotiations about revenue generated by the site.  Previously, Warner Music and Youtube had an agreement in 2006, but it looks like lower than expected revenues are what lead to the talks.

It will be interesting to see what the other three major music companies do.  I would imagine if a more profitable contract it gained by Warner, than the other three will want to go to the table to negotiate.  These four companies represent the vast majority of recording artist. 

My biggest fear of this whole thing is the overall impact on Youtube.  Not that I’m pulling for the company, but more because I love randomly pulling up videos.  Everything from videos I haven’t seen in years to random live performances, I love them all.  It would be just terrible to not have all of that right at your finger tips.  Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to watch a video like this.  (The link is fine for work or anywhere else.)

I know what you’re saying, there are lots of sites that you can find all of that stuff on, but let me remind you of an important fact:  when it comes to searching for things on the internet, I’m lazy.  I’m going to go to the quickest place that I think it’ll be, and Youtube it that.  Probably, there is a whole bunch of you out there that feel the exact same way.

Now, I’m hoping they’ll get it worked out, because it’s easy to imagine that they would still like to cash in.  I just wonder if we’re going to have to go through a phase with each music group, having to have their videos pulled down.  Well, let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best.