Report: UMG & Sony BMG Negotiating With YouTube

In the wake of yesterday's announced agreement between WARNER MUSIC GROUP and YOUTUBE which will see WMG's music videos distributed for free to consumers via an ad-based viewing model on YOUTUBE (NET NEWS 9/18), the AP reports that other labels continue to have talks with the video-on-the-web behemoth.

Specifically, the AP's report states that UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP spokesman PETER LoFRUMENTO confirmed yesterday that UMG is in talks with YOUTUBE to strike a distribution deal. UMG's confirmation of negotiations are curiously-timed considering UMG CEO DOUG MORRIS' remarks last week that both YOUTUBE and MYSPACE are "copyright infringers" that owe the company "tens of million of dollars" (NET NEWS 9/14), but the comments were perceived by some pundits as a negotiating tactic rather than a precursor to litigation. 

According to the AP's report, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is also negotiating with YOUTUBE, but a SONY BMG rep said yesterday that the company would not comment on ongoing negotiations. EMI was reportedly in talks with YOUTUBE back in AUGUST (NET NEWS 8/16), but those negotiations apparently have yet to bear fruit.

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