YouTube, music labels end standoff, move towards paid service

YouTube expects to convert some of the millions of people who listen to music for free on its video site into paying subscribers

YouTube signed a new long-term agreement with the top two music labels, promising stronger policing of user uploads of copyrighted songs and paving the way for a new paid service after two years of tumultuous negotiations.

Universal Music Group said its deal with YouTube will give artists more flexibility and better pay. Sony Music Entertainment also signed a new agreement, according to people familiar with the matter. The Tokyo-based parent company declined to comment.

The accords establish royalty rates between YouTube and rights holders for professional music videos and user-uploaded clips, and pave the way for YouTube to introduce a new paid