Early this year, TikTok and Universal Music Group (UMG) had a dispute over a license agreement as their contracts expired. As a result, UMG took down most of its catalog from TikTok’s song library, slashing almost 80% of music content on the platform. After three months, both companies settled the dispute.
TikTok and UMG’s new deal
In February, UMG pressed TikTok over three critical concerns before signing a deal with them. These concerns that they want the platform to address are artist compensation, safety against artificial intelligence, music infringement and overall user safety on the platform. The new agreement is reported to be “multi-dimensional” and a “new era of strategic collaboration” which addresses the said concerns.
To address the said concerns, “TikTok will continue to invest significant resources into building artist-centric tools that will help UMG artists realize their potential on the growing platform,” the joint statement reads.
Such tools include “Add to Music App,” enhanced data and analytics and integrated ticketing capabilities. Additionally, both companies will work together to ensure that AI development protects the artists and that unauthorized AI-generated music is removed from the app.
According to the statement, all of these “will benefit artists, both financially and in building their global fanbases using TikTok’s scale and engaged community, while strengthening online safety protections for artists and their fans.” TikTok and UMG are “working expeditiously” to restore the removed songs.
According to TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew, “Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group. We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG’s amazing artists and songwriters, and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community.”