The likely culprit removing our content is probably You Tube itself. We automatically assume Warner Music Group is the goat. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions based on the history of the label and how it's treated fans or artists in the past. Does anyone know Warner Music Group is no longer owned and operated by the same corporate entity that released Fleetwood Mac for the past thirty years? Remember when we heard all kinds of flack about the evils of WB corporate management during the change in artistic control which took place between the release of the Dance and SYW? Lindsey mentioned the new guard, of AOL/Time/Warner people at WB records, quite a lot during the SYW promo period. Much hay was made about their corporate control of artists during LB's first attempt at releasing GOS, up through the time period covering TISL and the release of SYW including the subsequent mega tour. Hardly a word's been uttered about the private equity firm that's owned and operated Warner's music division since 2005. It's a completely different label with a different focus. Strange how Lindsey in particular hasn't mentioned anything about this changing of the guard overseeing the release of his two back to back solo albums.
One of the first things the new Warner Music Group did differently from the past was embrace the internet. Until a few weeks ago when the deal ended, YouTube and Warner Music had an interesting revenue based promotional agreement breaking new ground for the music industry. That deal just ended. It's probably the reason WB fans had their content raided at You Tube. YT is pissed that Warner's wanted and subsequently went shopping for a better deal. The revenue stream at You Tube isn't panning out as expected. WB is seeking a more promising online partner. Not sure they will find one, but either way, it could be at WB's order, or YT unilaterally pulling the plug on our content in retaliation against WB.
Warner Music Group is not the same entity as the corporate conglomerate that still operates other parts of AOL/Time/Warner. In fact, several of the people known to be at the helm of the new WB music label are players who broke a lot of ground at Interscope records in it's heyday as an indie, and when that label was first taken over by Universal Music Group. Some of the same investors, too. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out in the near future at the new Warner's Music, as it relates to internet marketing, artistic control of content, and how well it handles dinosaur bands like Fleetwood Mac. How innovative can they be with a band touring behind no new music, selling the nostalgia nobody can afford to enjoy these days? Time precious time will tell.