The Transparency Button
On October 30, 2013 YouTube announced that it would intervene in some disputes between MCNs and their signed content creators, easing communications between parties. As Tubefilter reported, “creators will be able to click a link within their YouTube accounts to notify the powers that be… that they want to be freed from their associated MCN.”1 By clicking the "breakup button", as many YouTubers have started calling it, creators initiate a process of open communications between themselves, their MCN and YouTube regarding the creator’s “potential departure.”
Tubefilter was quick to note, however, that contractual obligations will still apply and as such the MCNs will have the determining vote in these negotiations. Moreover, according to an email from YouTube to MCN Maker Studios affiliates leaked on December 6, 2013, this link will only start communications about these disputes only if the MCN chooses to recognize the communications generated by this link. In the case of Maker Studios, the leaked email confirms that the MCN does not recognize any reports generated by the link, and therefore requires content creators to contact the company according to the means specified in their original contracts.2 According to the email sent out by YouTube to Maker Studios (an MCN) affiliates on December 6, 2013, the reporting link was designed to let content creators “send [YouTube] feedback regarding the status of [their] partnership,” particularly when content creators are working with “unresponsive and non-transparent networks.”3 However, given YouTube's recent move to shift copyright liability to MCNs for managed channels, YouTube's move towards "transparency" in the networks may also be part of a larger plan to shift even more of the responsibility to the networks by first ensuring that the networks are functional and compliant with their creator contracts.
Citations
1. Landa, Chris. (2013, October 30). “YouTube To Step In On Partner/Multi-Channel Network Management.” Tubefilter. Retrieved from http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/10/30/youtube-to-step-in-on-partner-multi-channel-network-disputes/
2. Gutelle, Sam. (2013, December 6). “YouTube’s MCN Affiliate Channels Will Be Subject To Monetization Reviews.” Tubefilter. Retrieved from http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/12/06/youtube-affiliate-channels-monetization-copyright-review/
3. Ibid.
Tubefilter was quick to note, however, that contractual obligations will still apply and as such the MCNs will have the determining vote in these negotiations. Moreover, according to an email from YouTube to MCN Maker Studios affiliates leaked on December 6, 2013, this link will only start communications about these disputes only if the MCN chooses to recognize the communications generated by this link. In the case of Maker Studios, the leaked email confirms that the MCN does not recognize any reports generated by the link, and therefore requires content creators to contact the company according to the means specified in their original contracts.2 According to the email sent out by YouTube to Maker Studios (an MCN) affiliates on December 6, 2013, the reporting link was designed to let content creators “send [YouTube] feedback regarding the status of [their] partnership,” particularly when content creators are working with “unresponsive and non-transparent networks.”3 However, given YouTube's recent move to shift copyright liability to MCNs for managed channels, YouTube's move towards "transparency" in the networks may also be part of a larger plan to shift even more of the responsibility to the networks by first ensuring that the networks are functional and compliant with their creator contracts.
Citations
1. Landa, Chris. (2013, October 30). “YouTube To Step In On Partner/Multi-Channel Network Management.” Tubefilter. Retrieved from http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/10/30/youtube-to-step-in-on-partner-multi-channel-network-disputes/
2. Gutelle, Sam. (2013, December 6). “YouTube’s MCN Affiliate Channels Will Be Subject To Monetization Reviews.” Tubefilter. Retrieved from http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/12/06/youtube-affiliate-channels-monetization-copyright-review/
3. Ibid.
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