Update, September 30, 4:30PM ET: YouTube says it has reached an agreement with SESAC, and that the affected songs will return to the site soon. A spokesperson posted the following: “We are pleased that SESAC has reconsidered our offer. We have reached an agreement and content will be back soon. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this time.”
The first story, titled “YouTube blocks songs by artists including Adele and Green Day amid licensing talks,” follows unedited.
Songs by famous artists have started to disappear from YouTube as the platform’s agreement with the rights organization SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) is nearing its expiration date. As reported by Varietysome songs by Adele, Green Day, Bob Dylan, REM, Burna Boy and other artists are banned in the US, or their entire catalogs are not really affected. Released videos, such as Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” now show a black screen with the message: “This video contains material from SESAC. It is not available in your country.”
In a statement sent to Engadget, a YouTube spokesperson said the platform was in talks with SESAC to renew the agreement, but “despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach an equitable agreement before the expiration date. We take copyright seriously and as a result, the content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the US. We are in active discussions with SESAC and hope to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.” According to the source you spoke with Varietyhowever, the deal hasn’t even expired yet — it will reportedly expire next week — and moving forward on YouTube’s part could be a negotiating tactic. SESAC has yet to issue a statement.
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