Few songs by several artist were met by this message when trying to be played.
“This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country”
Same legal dispute between TikTok and Universal Music Group happened for multiple months earlier this year before they reached a music licensing agreement.
SESAC in US collects royalties and assist protect copyrights on behalf of songwriters and publishers.
Youtube said
We have held good faith negotiations with SESAC to renew our existing deal. Despite our best efforts we were unable to reach an equitable agreement before its expiration. We take copyright very seriously and as a result content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in US. We are in active conversation with SESAC and are hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.
Multiple Reddit threads popped up as consumer shared their angeriness over being unable to stream their favorite tunes with the problem seemingly starting earlier today.
Blocks like this are common when copyright organizations and distribution companies cannot agree on licensing deal.
The time period of legal fights can last months at a time.
Warner Music Group pulled music videos off of YouTube for the several months back in 2008-09.
SESAC is within its purview to block public performances of music from streaming to radio play though this is very difficult to enforce.
Other singers affected by the blockage consist of Burna Boy, Fleetwood Mac Alice in Chains.
Some of the musician songs display a black screen which reads Video unavailable with the subhead This video contains content from SESAC it is not available in your country not all tracks are affected.
SESAC is smaller than same companies like ASCAP and BMI but SESAC lists multiple mega artists in its portfolio.
In 2017 it was acquired by the private equity firm Blackstone.
Earlier most watched and listened to music on YouTube and YouTube Music disappeared on Saturday replace by short text.
Adele Someone Like You Green Day Boulevard of Broken Dreams REM Losing My Religion have been blocked by YouTube in a legal fight with SESAC.