YouTube users in the US have been unable to access music videos from popular artists like Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Mariah Carey, and R.E.M. since Saturday, September 28.
This situation is due to a dispute between YouTube and the performing rights organization SESAC. YouTube has stated that they attempted to renew their agreement with SESAC but could not reach a fair deal before the contract expired.
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 hope to reach a new deal soon.”
SESAC represents over 35,000 songwriters and publishers and is one of the three major performing rights organizations in the US, alongside ASCAP and BMI. Unlike its rivals, SESAC operates as a for-profit entity, claiming that this approach helps make music licensing more efficient for users.
