Bragg, Chambers, Gibb attack Google

Billy Bragg and a host of other songwriters have attacked Google for its recent removal of professional music videos from YouTube.

Bragg, Guy Chambers, Pete Waterman, Robin Gibb and others wrote a letter to The Times alleging that the company "ascribes little value to music".

It read: "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 continued: "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.