YouTube has removed songs by Adele, Nirvana and other artists over a dispute with SESAC

Popular hits have suddenly disappeared from YouTube and YouTube Music as the platform negotiates with copyright management organization SESAC. On Saturday, many well-known music videos and songs became inaccessible, accompanied by the message:

So many of the popular music videos and songs are no longer available.

«Video not available. This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country»

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Hits that have disappeared from YouTube

This situation has clearly disappointed fans who were trying to enjoy popular tracks such as «Rolling in the Deep» by Adele, or other songs from artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Britney Spears, Green Day, Kanye West and Burna Boy. The disappearance has raised questions about what SESAC is and when music is expected to return to the platform.

The disappearance has raised questions about what SESAC is and when music is expected to return to the platform.

What is SESAC.

SESAC stands for Society of European Stage Authors and Composers and has been in existence since 1930. According to its official website, SESAC «currently licenses the public performance of more than 1.5 million songs from more than 15,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers». The organization is smaller compared to others like BMI and ASCAP, but SESAC also has many well-known artists in its portfolio. In 2017, SESAC was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone.

SESAC was acquired by the private equity firm Blackstone.

Why are SESAC songs unavailable and when will they be back?”

Determining when SESAC’s ban on YouTube and YouTube Music will end, or even which songs have been removed, is difficult. A database is available on the SESAC website where you can search for repertoire information, but not all songs on the list have been removed. For example, one version of Kanye West’s song «Power» has been blocked, while another video of the track is available for now.

Another version of Kanye West’s song «Power» has been blocked, while another video of the track is available for now.

The licensing organization SESAC has yet to make any official statements, but YouTube has responded to an inquiry from The Verge. YouTube spokeswoman Mariana de Felice noted:

The Verge said.

«We negotiated in good faith with SESAC to extend the existing agreement. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach a fair agreement before the expiration date. We take copyright seriously, and as a result, content representing SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the United States. We remain in active negotiations with SESAC and hope to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.»

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Backstage negotiations and next steps

A source cited by Variety suggested that this could be part of tactical negotiations on YouTube’s part, as it claims «the previous agreement doesn’t actually expire until next week». This could mean that the situation is temporary, and that both sides are looking to come to a mutually beneficial solution soon.

And that’s not the case.

So users who have lost access to their favorite songs on YouTube and YouTube Music can hope that the issue will be resolved soon and hits will be available again.

So users who have lost access to their favorite songs on YouTube and YouTube Music can hope that the issue will be resolved soon and hits will be available again.