TikTok and Universal Music Group have officially put an end to their feud through a new agreement that will benefit both parties. This multi-dimensional deal will see UMG’s top artists, such as Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, return to TikTok’s massive user base of over one billion people. The reconciliation comes after UMG started pulling its music from the platform when the previous contract expired on February 1st.
One key aspect of the agreement is addressing concerns regarding generative AI. The press release announcing the deal states that TikTok and UMG will collaborate to ensure AI development in the music industry protects human artistry and the financial interests of artists and songwriters. Additionally, TikTok pledges to work with UMG to remove any unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform and enhance artist and songwriter attribution.
We are thrilled to have UMG and UMPG back on TikTok, expressed Ole Obermann, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development. He emphasized the importance of responsible AI tools to foster a new era of musical creativity and engage fans while preserving human creativity.
Moreover, the agreement includes provisions for new monetization opportunities stemming from TikTok’s expanding e-commerce capabilities. The two companies are actively collaborating to reintroduce artists to the platform at the earliest.
The TikTok-UMG agreement signifies a positive development in the relationship between music labels and social media platforms, highlighting the significance of protecting artists’ rights and fostering creativity in the digital age.
