YouTube Signs Deals with Music Publishers, Allowing Content ID to Earn Money for Them

Yesterday the YouTube Blog reported deals being signed with a whole slew of music publishing companies, allowing songwriters and publishers to make money when their copyrighted work is being used by content creators.  The process will work with Content ID as always.  With more than 3,000 partners in the program, every major music publisher and studio uses Content ID, which gives copyright holders the chance to either make money off of a video using their work or pull the video completely if they see fit.

YouTube's Deal With Music Publishers

The new deal is with BMG Rights Management, Christian Copyright Solutions, ABKCO Music, Inc., Songs Music Publishing, Words & Music, Copyright Administration, Music Services, Reservoir Media Management, and Songs of Virtual, publishers which represent the likes of Adele, Cee Lo Green, Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, and probably a ton more.  It complements last year's deal with the National Music Publishers Association and its subsidiary, Harry Fox Agency, which was signed last year.

I'd say this is great...for music publishers.  But content creators looking to get the most out of their videos probably should still try to find a way to put original music or music in which they already have rights on their videos.  Once you start using copyrighted material you are pretty much at the mercy of the copyright holders.  Although, I'm sure there are many who just want their videos to be seen and don't care about the money.  They just might be glad to be able to lay a Rolling Stones track on their video and aren't worried about the revenue.

Still, good to know that music publishers, singers, and songwriters will be protected and be given more choice on how their music is heard.