freedom.lv

YouTube blocks access from Latvia

Though it there has been no official announcement, it seems that YouTube now blocks access for visitors from Latvia to official music video clips. When you try to access one you get a notice: “This video is not available in your country.”

Most probably this happened because Latvian copyright holders agency AKKA/LAA claimed too much money from YouTube for license. Agency already has been involved in several court cases with local radios and TV stations on license fees. Radios and TV stations disagreed to fees offered by agency stating these fees are too high and inappropriate. Several radio and TV stations already won these cases in part – AKKA/LAA had to lower the fees.

Now the greed of agency resulted in no videos for Latvians. AKKA/LAA earlier this year was criticized for claiming money from bloggers for embedding YouTube videos. As well it has been criticized by artist for nontransparent distribution of money levied by AKKA/LAA.