Google, the owner of YouTube, has struck a deal with one Japanese copyright body to allow people to record their own versions of songs, and upload them to the popular site.
According to Julian Ryall of The Hollywood Reporter, under the deal with Japan Rights Clearance Inc. (JRC), users may record their own versions of any of the 5,000 songs they represent. Unfortunately, wannabe pop stars would still be in violation if they sang along with the actual recordings by the artists, which is unfortunate in the country that gave the world the timeless art of karaoke. YouTube will pay an undisclosed amount to the JRC based on the number of times a song is performed, and that amount will then be distributed to the music publishers holding the copyright to the lyrics and music.