17 June 2014
Last updated at 13:18 ET
Google, which owns YouTube, has been renegotiating contracts as it prepares to launch a music subscription service.
A spokesperson for the indie labels said YouTube was making a "grave error of commercial judgment".
YouTube said it was bringing "new revenue streams" to the music industry.
The three major record labels - Universal, Sony and Warner -
have all agreed terms with the site, but smaller independents are
holding out.
'Lack of respect'
YouTube to block indie labels as subscription service launches
Music videos by bands such as Radiohead could be taken down by YouTube
YouTube
will remove music videos by artists such as Adele, Arctic Monkeys and
Radiohead, because the independent labels to which they belong have
refused to agree terms with the site.
A spokesperson for the indie labels said YouTube was making a "grave error of commercial judgment".
YouTube said it was bringing "new revenue streams" to the music industry.
Continue reading the main story
Geoff Taylor Chief executive, BPI"We think it is wrong for YouTube to threaten to ostracise certain independents... because they are unwilling to surrender to a take it or leave it ultimatum”
Speaking to the Financial Times,
Robert Kyncl, YouTube's head of content and business operations, said
videos from independents could be blocked "in a matter of days," if new
licenses are not negotiated.
'Lack of respect'
Some independents say they are being offered "highly
unfavourable terms". Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien accused Google of
trying to "strong-arm" labels into accepting low fees.
Alison Wenham, who runs the Worldwide Independent Network , which represents the independent music community said YouTube is "making a grave error of commercial judgment in misreading the market".
"We have tried and will continue to try to help YouTube understand just how important independent music is to any streaming service and why it should be valued accordingly," she added.
"By not giving their subscribers access to independent music
YouTube is setting itself up for failure... The vast majority of
independent labels around the world are disappointed at the lack of
respect and understanding shown by YouTube."
BPI, the organisation which represents British record companies - including the three major labels - said it was wrong for YouTube, which is the dominant online video platform, to "threaten to ostracise certain independents".
Chief executive Geoff Taylor said the move would end up "denying fans the opportunity to hear their music, and labels and artists the chance to earn a living from it - because they are unwilling to surrender to a take it or leave it ultimatum."
Impala, a body which represents the labels - including XL
Recordings, 4AD, Cooking Vinyl and Domino - has appealed to the European
Commission for help with its battle against YouTube.
'Revenue source'
Alison Wenham, who runs the Worldwide Independent Network , which represents the independent music community said YouTube is "making a grave error of commercial judgment in misreading the market".
"We have tried and will continue to try to help YouTube understand just how important independent music is to any streaming service and why it should be valued accordingly," she added.
Singer Billy Bragg said YouTube was "shooting themselves in the foot"
BPI, the organisation which represents British record companies - including the three major labels - said it was wrong for YouTube, which is the dominant online video platform, to "threaten to ostracise certain independents".
Chief executive Geoff Taylor said the move would end up "denying fans the opportunity to hear their music, and labels and artists the chance to earn a living from it - because they are unwilling to surrender to a take it or leave it ultimatum."
Videos from Alison Moyet may still be on YouTube, on channels like Vevo
'Revenue source'
The BBC understands that even if blocks do go ahead, content
from artists signed to independent labels will remain available on
YouTube via channels such as Vevo.
Videos which are exclusively licensed by independent record labels, such as acoustic sets or live performances, may be taken down.
A YouTube spokesman told the BBC: "Our goal is to continue making YouTube an amazing music experience, both as a global platform for fans and artists to connect, and as a revenue source for the music industry.
"We're adding subscription-based features for music on YouTube
with this in mind - to bring our music partners new revenue streams in
addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already
generates for them each year.
"We are excited that hundreds of major and independent labels are already partnering with us."
YouTube's entry into the music subscription market comes after Amazon launched a similar service for its Prime members, and Apple bought online music service Beats Music.
Videos which are exclusively licensed by independent record labels, such as acoustic sets or live performances, may be taken down.
A YouTube spokesman told the BBC: "Our goal is to continue making YouTube an amazing music experience, both as a global platform for fans and artists to connect, and as a revenue source for the music industry.
The Arctic Monkeys are signed to an independent record label
"We are excited that hundreds of major and independent labels are already partnering with us."
YouTube's entry into the music subscription market comes after Amazon launched a similar service for its Prime members, and Apple bought online music service Beats Music.
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Financial Times* YouTube to pull plug on indie stars 1 hr ago
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The Independent Someone like who...? 4 hrs ago
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Yahoo! UK and Ireland Indie labels hit at YouTube block 6 hrs ago
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Telegraph Google accused of misusing YouTube dominance to threaten independent record labels 7 hrs ago
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Guardian.co.uk YouTube to block some indie labels 11 hrs ago
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