I've noticed alot of videos on YouTube have had their backing tracks removed on the request of record companies.
How do the record companies sift through the millions of clips on YouTube to 'bust' these people?
Also do the record companies not read the comments people post? On almost every clip I watch someone has asked what the music is.
Are the record companies missing a trick with this free advertising for their artists or do they only see copyright infringement in black and white? Maybe they fear everyone will simply download the track for free but isnt that a risk no matter where people originally heard the music from?
Not all record companies have "missed the trick" some are a lot more tolerant than others about having their artists on youtube. (warner music for example)
You will also find that quite a lot of artist have their own youtube channels where you can watch the official versions of the videos and it's only the unofficial ones removed.
Thats a good marketing ploy but only if the viewer knows what he/she is looking for. I do feel they're missing out on people stumbling across music from artists they're not aware of. Surely spreading out far and wide can only be a good thing?