A variety of hits from artists such as Adele and Nirvana are no longer reachable on YouTube and YouTube Music. The reason? The license matter between YouTube and SESAC (the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) leads to issues.
When talks between the two massive companies failed to progress further, U.S. users could no longer access many popular songs, which was confusing. Users trying to stream these songs now face the following: “Video unavailable. The content featured in this video comes from SESAC. You can’t access this content in your region. What is happening out of sight?
How big is SESAC’s impact on YouTube Music?
In music licensing proceedings, SESAC stands out as a key player. It gathers public performance rights for more than 1.5 million songs. Despite its smaller scale than BMI and ASCAP, the organization anchors a remarkable collection of influential musicians. Launched in 1930, it ensures its members obtain revenue for the public airing their songs on platforms like YouTube and YouTube Music.
In this current dispute, YouTube claims it was engaged in “good faith negotiations” with SESAC but failed to reach a deal before the contract expired. Music under the agreement with the organization has vanished from the U.S. platform, hurting countless users.
A YouTube spokesperson confirmed, “We take copyright very seriously, and as a result, content represented by the organization is no longer available on YouTube in the U.S.” Negotiations are ongoing. Both sides expect to finalize a deal without delay.
Music fans left hanging: Why the disappearing acts?
Adele’s and other artists’ music disappeared unexpectedly, which startled their audience. Even though YouTube tells users that the blackout is still there, dialogue with SESAC is ongoing. This has consequences for many artists, including top names like Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond, as well as Latin music legends Bad Bunny and Enrique Iglesias. Without a timely agreement extension from both sides, these tracks remain unavailable on YouTube until it is resolved.
Users in the United States cannot access music from the organization at this time. Millions still cannot listen to their favorite tunes because the length of the blackout is uncertain.
So, who’s on SESAC’s list?
SESAC comprises artists from multiple genres. Although the effects of the organization’s presence are now apparent to some users, they have lingered. This legal battle has reached a variety of artists, including Ariana Grande and Skrillex. The organization’s artists feature in different musical genres, including;
- Pop
- Rock
- Country
- Hip-Hop
- Electronic
- Latin
This collection highlights famous acts, including Chris Stapleton and Deadmau5.
Despite remaining quiet about the matter regarding SESAC-licensed content removals, the right choice seems to be in place to keep the platform safe. Supporters of these musicians are dealing with an evident lack of music in their YouTube library.
How to access blocked music: There’s always a (VPN) way
The dispute between YouTube and SESAC has certainly thrown a wrench into music lovers’ plans, but there’s still a way to access this blocked content. Using a virtual private network (VPN) allows U.S. users to bypass the organization’s restrictions and access music available in other countries. Here’s how it works:
- Pick a VPN service: Options like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark allow you to connect to servers in countries where the organization restrictions don’t apply.
- Download and install the VPN: After selecting a service, download and install the app.
- Choose a country: Select a server in Canada or Germany where SESAC-licensed music is still accessible.
- Connect and stream: Once connected, open YouTube or YouTube Music, and you should be able to enjoy your favorite tracks again.
While this workaround helps bypass the organization blackout, it’s only temporary until YouTube and SESAC agree.
Image credits: Furkan Demirkaya/Ideogram
