EC Should Red Card YouTube

The official complaint that IMPALA has laid before the European Commission says YouTube is guilty of five specific instances of illegal conduct.

The ongoing battle between IMPALA and the Google-owned video streaming service focuses on its intention to block the content of companies that don’t agree to its new “highly unfavourable terms.”

IMPALA claims that YouTube is effectively creating artificial barriers to access the digital market. It’s asking the EC to put a stop to YouTube’s conduct urgently through “interim measures.”

It’s also requesting the Commission order that YouTube cannot enforce contracts already signed.

“The formal process has started in Brussels where the European Commission has consistently shown it will take a stance to ensure its competition rules are properly respected,” said IMPALA executive chair Helen Smith.

“Commissioner Almunia has already underlined the importance of the contribution made by independent music companies. This is a crucial moment for the development of the online music market with European services leading the charge,” she explained. “It’s red card time.”

IMPALA’s complaint underlines that YouTube’s conduct is illegal on a number of counts, including insisting on extracting a package of rights that no other partner could get away with.

Apart from showing YouTube the red card, IMPALA believes the EC should fine YouTube up to 10 percent of its worldwide turnover, which would be a figure north of $500 million.