As I was thinking up the list of songs that I will be featuring on tomorrow’s 5SF, I pondered the potential of at least one of said songs having a video on youtube, as I always do. One song in particular (which I will not name, because I have to have some secrecy to bring you kids back, don’t I?) has a fantastical video that I would love to post, but due to the nature that it is by a major artist, I am sure that the video will be either yanked off of youtube soon, or it will have the lovely “embedding disabled by request” where the code to embed said video on my blog should be.
Now, I have to say, that I really do not understand this move by record companies at all (this assuming that they are the reason, since I can think of no reason an artist would want to restrict the viewing of their video to youtube). Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t a video practically a commercial for a song; it represents the artist, and provides more incentive to listen to the song, and more likely than not, increases interest in buying the artist’s CD when it hits stores? So, when you put the video on youtube (especially since the “usual” way to see videos has drastically changed since MTV doesn’t play many these days), aren’t you attempting to put this piece of work out there for all to see? By the same logic, one would also think that by allowing that video to be reposted (through embedding youtube links, of course), that you would be increasing exposure to the video and the song, and there by, allowing FREE publicity for your artist. But no. For whatever reason, many major labels insist on keeping the content “safe”, and will not allow you to embed any of their videos. Again, this makes no sense.
If I posted a commercial, or an advertisement on my website for free, and received no income from having the banner on my site, I would be providing FREE PR for whatever the advertisement was for. I would think, again by that same logic, that the company that sold that product would be more than happy to have me do such a thing, since again, I am publicizing it for free.
I guess my rant is just a venting of the frustration that continually comes from dealing with the recording industry (DRM, lack of embedding, piracy issues, etc). They try so hard to lock down everything, that many artists have a hard time releasing their music, and even the ones that manage to get it out there have a choke hold placed on their material; which is interesting, because without them, the record industry would be nothing. I say, that if you are going to even post a video on youtube in the first place, that allowing people to embed it on their websites is just a common courtesy to your artists, and at a minimum, a free advert for your product; after all, it is again, FREE PR!!! I mean, it’s not like youtube is so secure that I can’t use a software to gank the video, and post it from my own server; which is actually “stealing”, and what I am assuming you are trying to avoid, right? Because that is easier than actually changing the code to make the video fit into my page parameters, just so you know.
Ridiculous much? Methinks so. /rant
You are making the assumption that the record companies are a) competent; b) sane; c) good business folks. I’ll take d) none of the above.
John, you are so very correct. However, why is it then, that they still hold the reigns? It makes no sense.
You are so right about this. I never understood this and do not think I ever will
I don’t get this either, I’m always weary of posting new videos over at Jiingo cause I have to keep an eye on them for about a month to make sure they don’t get yanked. It’s free promotion and yet they feel the need to disable embedding. It really makes zero sense.
It’s probably because, they want to make money from their C.D’s…especially older artist.
Look down here man, I must have spent 1/2 my money on every format of music buying multiple copies of titles in the past. Now they flaunt their cash blowing out there buts above the commoners existence. I think it hurts the music, like listening live to KIZZ entire new album before they get to the golden moldies. I learned my lesson in song well. They take as much as they can possibly get now so do I. The Gov has computers that automatically spy on every form of electronic communication. Developing our own networks is the only way to stay free peoples, which is far more important than KIZZ royalties.
Eat the Rich