Well if you think about how much youtube earns by broadcasting other peoples work, its only right to pay royalties to respected owners of works. At the end of the day youtube earns by placing an advert on the page that you are watching. btw the figure for payment is only a tiny one. Some videos have been viewed over 50m times, so if you get 2p per play then thats a good mill. I think its a bit more complicated then that though..

The artists still need more money? isn't that bit greedy? I listened to Blade Runner Soundtrack on youtube recently, I love it and I went out to buy one of my own CD. I can't download it off youtube however youtube is great place to listen some music to see if I do like it, far superiors then iTune 30 second preview. At the end of the day, the artists should be thanking Youtube.

Youtube actually pays THEM to stream their freaking ads? in monoaural sound .. 
Real genius management there at google HQ.