Universal Music Group drops Taylor Swift and Drake’s songs from TikTok amid licensing dispute (Credits: Instagram/@taylorswift)
New Delhi: Universal Music Group NV, the world’s biggest record label, has initiated the elimination of its musicians’ music from TikTok due to unsuccessful discussions for a new licensing accord. Thus, videos featuring UMG-owned tracks will undergo muted sound, compelling TikTok’s 1 billion users to explore alternatives for tracks from artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Bob Dylan.
The reason behind UMG’s decision to remove songs from TikTok
UMG’s choice to withdraw songs from the short-form video app comes after months of unfruitful discussions, coinciding with the music business’s hectic week during the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. TikTok, which wields substantial influence in the music industry, is crucial for propelling songs to viral status and promoting musicians. Nevertheless, the platform has encountered criticism for providing inadequate compensation to musicians, with TikTok contributing merely 1% of UMG’s total income despite ByteDance’s $110 billion in sales last year.
Record companies had urged TikTok to distribute earnings with rights holders in 2022. Sony Music briefly exited from ByteDance’s Resso music streaming facility, later rebranded as TikTok Music. Anxieties heightened in February when TikTok restricted song selections for Australian users, seen as a trial for assessing the value of music and the impact on user behavior.
TikTok versus UMG
In contrast to other platforms, TikTok presents itself as a promotional instrument as opposed to enabling full song playbacks. While major record labels like Warner Music and Sony have secured fresh licensing contracts with TikTok, UMG is seeking modifications in compensation for streaming services. UMG insists that TikTok pays notably less compared to other major social platforms.
UMG’s public letter
UMG publicized its dispute through an open letter, citing halted discussions concerning musician remuneration, protection against AI tools, and online safety. TikTok retorted, accusing UMG of prioritizing “their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.”