Songs by artists like Adele and Bob Dylan have been blocked by YouTube in the U.S. amid a legal dispute.
At present, tracks by popular performers, also including the likes of Green Day, R.E.M., Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, and many others, are currently unavailable to view on the platform.
The move stems from a contract dispute between YouTube officials and organisers at the U.S. performing rights organisation Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC).
When attempting to play songs by such artists, a short message appears.
“This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country,” it reads.
In response to the news, a spokesperson for YouTube maintained that negotiations are underway.
“We have held good faith negotiations with SESAC to renew our existing deal. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach an equitable agreement before its expiration,” they commented. “We take copyright very seriously and as a result, content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the U.S. We are in active conversations with SESAC and are hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.”
Over the weekend, YouTube reps also responded to queries via X.
“Our music license agreement with SESAC has expired without an agreement on renewal conditions despite our best efforts,” they replied to frustrated users. “For this reason, we have blocked content on YouTube in the US known to be associated with SESAC – as in line with copyright law.”
SESAC managers have not yet commented on dispute.
The organisation licences public performance for more than 1.5 million songs on behalf of its artists, with the main purpose being to protect copyright and collect royalties.
