Warner Music Group and YouTube talking again
Six months after Warner Music's songs disappeared from YouTube, the two companies are trying to hash out their differences, sources say.
Six months ago, talks between Warner Music Group and YouTube over the licensing of the label's music videos broke down, and since then, anyone looking for official clips from acts such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Green Day has likely been disappointed.
That presumably could change as the companies have entered into a new round of talks, according to two sources with knowledge of the negotiations. While the companies have spoken several times over the past half year, the most recent discussions are more serious, the sources said.
No deals have been worked out and there's a long way to go before any agreement is reached, said the sources. But they added that the mini-cold war between YouTube and Warner Music may be thawing.
Representatives from Warner Music and YouTube declined to comment.
The two sides parted ways last December as YouTube was trying to renew its licensing agreement for Warner Music's videos.
The impasse was a result of Warner's insistence on a deal that was in line with the terms offered to competitors. Another music industry source said the disagreement between YouTube and Warner Music was much more complex than that but declined to elaborate.
Since December, YouTube has struck licensing deals with all the other three top recording companies, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and EMI. YouTube would likely be glad to once again be able to offer videos from all the majors. Warner artists would likely welcome a return to YouTube and the exposure the Web's No. 1 video site offers.