YouTube has begun blocking music videos from several prominent artists, including Adele, Bob Dylan, Green Day, and Nirvana, in the United States. This move is a result of an ongoing dispute between YouTube and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers), a performing rights organization.
The dispute arose as YouTube's existing deal with SESAC approaches its expiration date. Despite ongoing negotiations, the two parties have been unable to reach an equitable agreement. As a consequence, YouTube has removed content represented by SESAC from its platform in the US. Users attempting to play affected videos are met with a message stating, 'This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country.'
What is SESAC?
SESAC is a performance-rights organization that collects royalties for songwriters and publishers. Founded in 1930, it is one of the oldest such organizations in the US and represents over 35,000 music artists and publishers. SESAC's repertoire includes more than 1.5 million songs across various genres, including Top 40, Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, and more.
The affected artists include a wide range of notable names such as Adele, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Nirvana, R.E.M., Burna Boy, and Kendrick Lamar. However, it's important to note that not all songs by these artists have been blocked; only those specifically represented by SESAC are unavailable.
YouTube's Response
YouTube has emphasized its commitment to copyright laws and its ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute. In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said, 'We take copyright very seriously and as a result, content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the US. We are in active conversations with SESAC and are hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.'
The TeamYouTube account on X (formerly Twitter) has also addressed user complaints, explaining that the music license agreement with SESAC expired without a renewal agreement, leading to the blocking of content associated with SESAC in the US.
User Reactions
The sudden unavailability of these popular songs has sparked frustration among YouTube users. Many have expressed their disappointment on social media, highlighting the impact on their ability to access and enjoy their favorite music.
This situation is reminiscent of a previous dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok, which resulted in the temporary removal of millions of songs from the short-form video platform. The current standoff between YouTube and SESAC underscores the complexities and challenges involved in managing music rights and royalties in the digital age.
