Teens and “tweens” are making stars of YouTube entertainers. Everybody knows Justin Bieber got his break by posting home videos on You Tube, but did you know PewDiePie earns $1 million US dollars a month from YouTube? Do you even know who PewDiePie is? Parents don’t understand why kids love PewDiePie and other YouTubers, just like my parents couldn’t understand why I loved Parliament Funkadelics. YouTube is teens’ number one choice for music; not radio, television, itunes, spotify or pandora. Teens do not care whether an artist is signed with a record label or not; as long as they like the artist’s YouTube Channel, they will watch it.
You Tube is the Wild Wild West. Anybody can upload anything on their YouTube channel. People check the box that says “I agree to the terms and conditions…” and YouTube allegedly runs algorithms checking copyrights. Unless someone files a complaint that your channel is violating YouTube’s users’ agreement, for example infringing their copyright, nobody prevents you from doing your thing.
If you upload an artist’s music without permission and then monetize it (i.e. getting paid by advertisers every time someone views the ad on your YouTube channel), the copyright owner of the music can complain to YouTube and prove they are the true copyright holder. They can either have the music removed from You Tube or choose to receive the advertising money earned on your channel.
I wrote all the songs on my YouTube channel and don’t have to worry about complaints. One of the great things about You Tube is there’s something for everybody. So, even though you’re no longer a teen or tween, you can still go on YouTube, listen to my “grown folks’ music”, and make me a star. 🙂 Check out my “SMILE” video.
One Love,
Aria