Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

It sounds like Neil should really be taking issue with Warner Reprise rather than YouTube. There are inherent advantages and risks in being the first mover in new areas of technology. In this case, for a while Warner artists will get paid less until the current contract runs out. He's the one who signed a contract to let them negotiate the rights to his music. If he doesn't like how they've done it, he can take it up with them when his current contract comes up for renegotiation. I wonder how vocal he would be if the other labels who came later ended up getting lower rates than Warner Reprise. (I certainly haven't heard many other labels artists complaining about Warner artists being underpaid...)

As for the false popularity contest that he proposes, I'm sure that most media companies (including YouTube) would be happy to license any technology Mr Young comes up with that will actually prevent stuffing the ballot box (i.e. download count fraud) while still preserving the diverse means of access and privacy that he also espouses. His "idea" is just a rehash of the RIAA model that perpetuates the airplay of those who are already established artists, a musical royalty rather than the egalitarian utopia he alleges.

I love Neil Young's music, and laud him for participating in an important discussion on the boundaries of usage and distribution. I strongly encourage him to become a bit more informed before complaining about things into which he has little insight.