Warner Music and YouTube end feud

LONDON - Warner Music and YouTube have called time on their ongoing battle over music rights to the relief of artists and users alike.

U2's music is back on YouTube
U2's music is back on YouTube

Warner Music pulled all of its music from the video-sharing site in December after the two companies failed to reach a new licensing deal.

The move resulted in thousand of music videos being removed, user generated content using Warner Music falling silent and artists had their videos blocked from their own websites if they embedded clips through YouTube.

Music videos from artists including Madonna, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kid Rock were among those affected.

The dispute arose after Warner Music demanded a higher fee each time its content was viewed, which YouTube maintained was uneconomical.

YouTube has been embroiled in a series of disagreements with music rights holders, including the UK's PRS for Music, which collects royalties for songwriters and composers for music played in Britain.

The two parties reached a three-year agreement earlier this month, which involved the payment of a one-off lump sum.

For fans of Warner artists, things are looking up. The label is reportedly in talks with Vevo, a joint venture between YouTube, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainmen, which is expected to launch this year.

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