"This video is not available in Germany": Online discourses on the German collecting society GEMA and YouTube

Abstract

YouTube’s blocked content notice “This video is not available in Germany” is part of an ongoing discourse on music streaming and the German collecting society, GEMA. The debates unfold mainly online, and GEMA–bashing is one of the most recognized outcomes. The central question is: How much are music authors paid per stream? By conducting a critical online discourse analysis I identify central interests, arguments and discursive strategies in the discussions around GEMA and YouTube. I argue that positioning has become a central factor in these online discourses.