The success of YouTube has been inextricably linked to the music business. Initially a remarkably effective streaming pirate, recent years have seen the site pivot to industry ally, paying out millions in royalties for the copyrighted material played on its platform. But who gets the money? And how? And…who is making sure it goes to the right people?

These are the questions opened up by Billboard journalist Kristin Robinson in her fascinating discussion of a remarkable YouTube scam that saw a handful of little-known Phoenix producers claim millions of dollars in royalties from many of Latin music’s biggest names. The mere possibility of the scam reflects the opaque complexity of a mega-system that turns user eyeballs (and the ad dollars that follow them) into artist revenue—a machine that’s designed to keep the platforms wealthy, with little regard for anyone else. Come for the Lamborghini—stay for an exploration of how tech giants have managed to remake the world (of copyright, but ovbi not JUST of copyright) to fit their needs.

Read Kristin Robinson's article on Billboard

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Music: Sauna Youth - "Modern Living"

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