YouTube has blocked songs by popular artists such as Adele, Bob Dylan, Green Day and Kendrick Lamar in the US, according to a report. The video-streaming platform is said to have taken the step after a legal rights dispute with the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC) — a for-profit performing rights organization that has more than 30,000 songwriters in its catalog. In response to inquiries, YouTube acknowledged the blocking of content, citing license expiration as an underlying factor.

Songs blocked by YouTube

YouTube says it has been unable to reach an agreement with SESAC on renewal terms “despite its best efforts.” Therefore, music by artists from the organization’s catalog is blocked for YouTube users in the US under copyright law. However, citing sources, Variety reported that his contract with SESAC doesn’t actually expire until next week and the move could just be a negotiating tactic.

In a statement to the publication, 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 talks with SESAC and hope to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.”

When trying to play music by artists such as Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Mariah Carey and REM, users will receive the following message: “This video contains content from SESAC. Not available in your country.”

Following this development, YouTube users turned to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), complaining about the unavailability of music despite paying a premium subscription to the video streaming platform. Some of them also claimed that the move “destroyed” their playlists and demanded refunds or compensation, but were met with disappointment as YouTube clarified that it has no plans to offer any kind of discount to members. Users can cancel their YouTube Premium subscription in accordance with its terms of service, it added.

Responding to user inquiries about its hopes of reaching a deal, the video-streaming platform said discussions on the matter are continuing, but there are no firm dates yet for future updates.