YouTube CEO warns upcoming European legislation “a threat to livelihood”

In the latest instalment of her regular quarterly newsletter to YouTube’s creative members, CEO Susan Wojcicki has warned those in Europe that the “unintended consequences” of the new Article 13 “poses a threat to your livelihood” and that “this growing creative economy is at risk.”

Article 13 requires user-generated content platforms like YouTube to introduce automatic content recognition systems that will block any copyright-infringing works.

In effect, it makes them legally liable for copyright infringement on their platforms.

It also demands that “easy redress” systems be set up by for works mistakenly taken down and that these platforms negotiate licenses with rights holders.

This effectively ends safe-harbour provisions in Europe, which the global music industry has long fought for.

The European Parliament voted on the EU Copyright Directive in Strasbourg on September 12, passing Article 13 into law.

The next step – for Parliament to negotiate with members states and the European Commission to finalise the directive – is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Various YouTube executives have since lashed out at the directive, saying it disrespected the freedom of creative people and prevented EU creators from uploading footage available on other platforms.

Now in her newsletter, Wojcicki outlined the power of YouTube for artists, with channels boasting more than 1 million subscribers increasing by 75%.

Sounding her warning bell, she wrote:

“Each month, more than one billion fans come to YouTube to be part of music culture and discover new songs and artists.

“All of this is possible because of the creative economy powered by you.

“However, this growing creative economy is at risk, as the EU Parliament voted on Article 13, copyright legislation that could drastically change the internet that you see today.

“Article 13 as written threatens to shut down the ability of millions of people – from creators like you to everyday users – to upload content to platforms like YouTube.

“It threatens to block users in the EU from viewing content that is already live on the channels of creators everywhere.”

Wojcicki warned that hardest hit would be independent and self-releasing acts.

“This legislation poses a threat to both your livelihood and your ability to share your voice with the world.

“And, if implemented as proposed, Article 13 threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs, European creators, businesses, artists and everyone they employ.

“The proposal could force platforms, like YouTube, to allow only content from a small number of large companies.

“It would be too risky for platforms to host content from smaller original content creators, because the platforms would now be directly liable for that content.

“We realise the importance of all rights holders being fairly compensated, which is why we built Content ID, and a platform to pay out all types of content owners.

“But the unintended consequences of article 13 will put this ecosystem at risk.

“We are committed to working with the industry to find a better way.

“This language could be finalized by the end of year, so it’s important to speak up now.”

Wojcicki urged content creators to speak out using the #SaveYourInternet hashtag as any legislation is formulated.

As reported in TMN, the global music industry loudly welcomed the unanimous EU vote for Article 13.

It had locked horns with YouTube for its low payment rate to artists.

But of late YouTube has introduced initiatives with labels and publishers to support new talent and introduced a premium subscription service.

The Wojcicki newsletter also updated members on YouTube Music’s territorial expansion.

It is now available in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Brazil.

The site is hosting more NextUp camps to support up-and-coming black, Latino and women creators, with the next two in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Its charity arm YouTube Giving has seen its creatives raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for initiatives as Hope for Paws, cancer research, support girls’ education around the world and fight violence against children.