Popular artists’ songs have started to be removed from YouTube as the platform’s contract with the performing rights organization SESAC (European Society of Stage Authors and Composers) approaches. As reported DiversitySome songs by Adele, Green Day, Bob Dylan, REM, Burna Boy and other artists have been blocked in the US, although their entire catalogs are not necessarily affected. Videos like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” now show a black screen with just the message: “This video contains content from SESAC. It doesn’t exist in your country.”
In a statement to Engadget, a YouTube spokesperson said the platform was in talks with SESAC to renew the contract, but “despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach a fair agreement before it expired. We take copyright very seriously and as a result content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the US. We are actively negotiating with SESAC and hope to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.” The source who spoke about it said Diversityhowever, the deal isn’t done yet — it’s reportedly set to terminate sometime next week — and YouTube’s move could be a negotiating tactic. SESAC has not released a statement yet.
