This Celeb-Backed Petition Could Change The Way You Listen To Music Online

When we think of YouTube, we think of music, cat videos, and beauty blogger channels—among many others. 

But when big-time music industry personalities think of YouTube, they have a slightly different perspective. "A system that is rigged against artists." Manager Irving Azoff said this of YouTube during an interview with The New York Times in February, and it appears more and more artists agree.

Now artists are taking a stand, signing a petition to regulate copyright on the internet. More reguation would be a huge blow to YouTube, one of the largest hubs for accessing music on the internet.

According to Billboard, for the last three months artists have invested time and money partially negotiating with, and partially fighting with, one of the most well-known, oft-used websites on the internet.

Today through Thursday, ads will run in Washington, D.C. magazines such as Politico, Roll Call, and The Hill calling for reform of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the act that regulates what is and isn't copyright online.

Big-name acts like Taylor Swift,  Sir Paul McCartney, Carole King, and Kings of Leon, as well as 19 music organizations, companies, and labels in the industry signed the ad. They hope to implement change in the way YouTube handles copyright.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was first implemented in 1998.

This act gives services such as YouTube exemption from copyright infringement liability for the actions of their users. This is only implemented as long as YouTube complies with takedown notices served from the owners of the copyrighted materials.

Major labels and publishers have previously held deals with YouTube, but they have often said that the DMCA gives certain exceptions and exemptions to YouTube that services such as Spotify don't also receive.

Azoff, who organized the ad, is one of the biggest advocates for DMCA reform. He is making it his mission to ensure artists are not being taken advantage of when it comes to collecting on the compensation they deserve for their music being used.

Basically, artists and labels are signing a petition that says the DMCA is giving YouTube more power than it deserves.

The petition also says that major tech companies are cashing in on music while songwriters and artists' earnings continue to dwindle.

The petition seeks balanced, sensible reform. It asks for a balance between the interests of the artists and creators and the interests of the companies who "exploit music for financial enrichment."

YouTube has come under attack from many artists prior to this petition. Most recently, The Black Keys' Patrick Carney spoke out against the website.

Last week YouTube responded to buzz about the petition in a statement to Music Business Worldwide , saying that "the voices of the artists are being heard."

The question remains, at what cost?