Expert anticipates further legal tussles over streaming music

The deputy editor of Web User magazine has warned of further legal disputes over streaming music on the internet.

Other websites that stream music online could find themselves the subject of a legal dispute following YouTube's clash with PRS for Music, it has been claimed.

According to Daniel Booth, deputy editor of internet magazine Web User, sites such as MySpace and Last.fm could soon be under scrutiny.

His comments come after YouTube blocked access to premium music videos for UK users after failing to reach commercial agreements over royalties.

PRS for Music, which collects royalty payments on behalf of its members, claimed Google - which owns YouTube - wanted to pay "significantly less" to the creators of the music on which their service relies than they do at present.

It said the action was taken in the middle of negotiations between the two organisations and without any consultation with PRS for Music.

Mr Booth said he sees no reason why YouTube should be an "exceptional case" in the ongoing debate over online music rights.

"The same pressure that PRS have put on YouTube they will put onto other sites that they feel aren't giving them enough money," he remarked.

"They've already proved that with relatively small-scale businesses like smaller football clubs who were playing music, so the PRS asked for a massive increase."

YouTube claimed the increases being put forward by the PRS for Music were "prohibitive" and would result in significant losses for every music video playback.

It said it was continuing to work with the body to reach "mutually acceptable terms" for a new licence to host premium music content.