Buma/Sterma Seeks Fees from Bloggers on Music Video Embeds

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 8, 2009 - 10:29am.

Amsterdam - Dutch royalty collection society Buma/Sterma plans to institute new licensing fees on websites and blogs that embed music videos, to the tune of $191 for six embedded videos, up to $1,914 for more than 30 embeds, TechCrunch reports.

The society has partnered with local technology firm Teezir to detect embedded videos from YouTube or other sources on Dutch websites.

Dutch bloggers are arguing that simply embedding a video that was published on YouTube or another video site -- where views are tracked and copyright holders compensated -- does not constitute a new "public performance," which would trigger a payment to Buma/Sterma.

According to TechCrunch, "several political parties in The Netherlands have already stated that they are concerned about Buma/Sterma's intentions, posing questions about the juridical grounds for the new licensing fees."

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/sekzw (TechCrunch)

http://techdirt.com/articles/20091007/0153146440.shtml

http://www.bumastemra.nl/en-US

http://www.teezir.com/?tabid=81

http://fairplaycalculator.nl