YouTube’s current music licensing problem is over and deleted songs are back.

American fans using YouTube or YouTube Music were annoyed to find that a lot of songs by big artists (including Nirvana, Green Day, Adele, and Bob Dylan) disappeared and were no longer available. At issue was a licensing dispute between YouTube and SESAC, one of America’s three performance rights organizations.

With no licensing agreement, YouTube couldn’t legally stream songs by artists that were SESAC clients. Interestingly, the licensing deal HADN’T expired, It was in effect for about another year. In other words, the disappearance of this song was just a negotiating tactic on YouTube’s part.

Well, it worked. All SESAC-registered songs have been reinstated following a deal–a deal that was made very quickly.

As you were.