TikTok and Universal Music Group End Their Dispute with New Licensing Agreement
Universal Music Group has resolved its differences with TikTok and inked a new multidimensional deal with the social media giant. Now, TikTok will see the return of artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo to its platform.
This is happy news for more than one billion TikTok users who were upset when Universal Music Group decided to remove their songs from the platform. Later, the dispute continued when UMG decided to remove all songs written or co-written by artists signed to UMG as well.
With this deal, TikTok will address the concerns that UMG and its artists have with generative AI.
In a joint press release, they said, “TikTok and UMG will work together to ensure AI development across the music industry will protect human artistry and the economics that flow to those artists and songwriters. TikTok is also committed to working with UMG to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, as well as tools to improve artist and songwriter attribution.”
TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business development, Ole Obermann said, “We are delighted to welcome UMG and UMPG back to TikTok. In particular, we will work together to make sure that AI tools are developed responsibly to enable a new era of musical creativity and fan engagement while protecting human creativity.”
The new deal also includes new monetization opportunities from TikTok’s e-commerce capabilities. Both companies say that they are working together to return artists to the platform.
