The British Government has issued the U.K. music industry somewhat of a kick in the teeth, declaring that it has no plans to implement the much fought-for EU Copyright Directive after Brexit.
The Directive required user-upload platforms such as YouTube to secure a license from rights holders, or ensure that no unauthorised content is available on the platform. It includes a “stay down” provision requiring platforms to keep unlicensed content down.
The U.K. music industry united to staunchly support the new law, which was a first step to solving the “value gap” (the discrepancy between the amount of music streamed on YouTube and the monetary value it provides). Naturally, YouTube was one of the Directive's fiercest opponents.
In an. Open letter, UK Music’s Deputy CEO Tom Kiehl wrote: “Google-owned YouTube currently pay creators significantly less than the real value to them. Failing to implement the core principles of the Directive would let Google off the hook and mean creators continue to get a raw deal.”
