Billy Bragg attacks Google

BILLY BRAGG has slammed Google for removing professional music videos from YouTUbe.

Bragg, along with songwriter Guy Chambers, music mogul Pete Waterman and Bee Gee Robin Gibb, said the company "ascribes little value to music".

In a letter to the Times newspaper, they said: "Music fans in the UK are confused and angry at Google's stance. We, as songwriters and composers of music, share those concerns.

"It is not in anyone's best interests to block access to music. Fans are denied enjoyment, creators aren't paid and illegal music sites benefit from the resulting displacement of web traffic."

It added: "Google says it cannot operate YouTube if it has to pay a royalty - however small - every time a video containing music is played.

"Royalties are a vital income source for all professional creators and must be preserved to ensure a continued vibrant music industry.

"We trust that Google will reinstate music on YouTube and pay a fair price for it."

Last month, songwriters collection society PRS said that it had had a "positive" meeting with YouTube regarding the ongoing dispute.