YouTube faces paying for music

Video websites such as YouTube may be forced to pay more to singers, bands and record labels to avoid “exploitation of content” under plans to shake up European copyright law.

The European Commission proposals would also require platforms to deploy technology that can detect songs or videos which have been requested for removal by rights holders. YouTube has been widely criticised by the music industry for failing to “value the music that creates business and traffic for the service”.

The proposals were put forward by commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. They also aim to protect newspapers and magazines for the first time.