30 August 2007

MCPS-PRS Alliance & YouTube sign ground-breaking agreement

The MCPS-PRS Alliance and YouTube today announced a ground-breaking agreement to license more than 10 million pieces of music to YouTube, that will recognise the contribution of the creators of that music to the service.

Chad Hurley, CEO and Co-Founder of YouTube said: ‘We‘re pleased to be working in cooperation with the MCPS-PRS Alliance to provide the YouTube community in the UK with the best possible user experience. This agreement is another great example of how we are working with the music industry to explore new and creative ways  to compensate music creators.’

                                                                                                                                       Steve Porter, Alliance Chief Executive

Steve Porter, Chief Executive of the MCPS-PRS Alliance (pictured) said: ‘We are delighted to have concluded this deal with YouTube and to be the first collecting society outside the US to do so. Whether it is music videos, user uploads or other audio visual content, our agreement will allow our 50,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members to be paid when their creative talents are being enjoyed on YouTube’s service across the UK.’

YouTube is the world’s largest online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small.

ENDS

CONTACT:
Brunswick

Notes to editors

The MCPS-PRS Alliance. MCPS and PRS are the not-for-profit UK collecting societies that ensure composers, songwriters and publishers are paid royalties when their music is used: from live performance to TV and radio, CDs to DVDs, downloads, streams and everything in between. Royalties create a future for music by supporting creators while they continue to write. MCPS and PRS are committed to delivering maximum royalties and world-class service. They work together in an operational alliance to get the best value for the music use of composers and songwriters everywhere. www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk