Following a royalties disagreement, Universal Music has reached an agreement with TikTok, seeing the return of a vast repertoire of songs to the popular social platform.
Chart-topping artists like Drake, Adele, and Billie Eilish will reunite with TikTok users, with their music expected to be available in the next fortnight.
As a major marketing avenue for musicians, TikTok’s short video format has proven to be a formidable promotional tool. Earlier this year, however, Universal criticized the platform for underpaying artists and removed its catalog in protest.
Taylor Swift, another high-profile Universal artist, took a different approach by permitting select tracks on TikTok to promote her latest project, The Tortured Poets Department. Due to her advantageous 2018 agreement with Universal, Swift retains sizable control over where her music appears.
The new “multi-dimensional” licensing agreement between TikTok and Universal promises “significant industry-leading benefits” for the latter’s artists and labels.
In their collaborative declaration, TikTok emphasized ongoing efforts to develop “artist-centric tools” and to bolster online safety for artists and fans alike.
Navigating AI Developments
The settlement restores audio to videos that had previously been muted due to the dispute. This comes following Universal’s open letter that criticized TikTok three months ago, which highlighted the necessity for fair compensation, AI safeguards, and online protection for music creators.
Both companies have committed to ensuring responsible AI practices that safeguard artists and uphold the financial integrity of their work. They also plan to keep unauthorized AI music off the platform and enhance recognition for creators.
Universal’s chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge emphasized that this “new chapter” focuses on the importance of music, artistic creativity, and the wellbeing of the creative community. Shou Chew of TikTok shared his contentment in finding a path forward with Universal, acknowledging the essential role of music in TikTok’s community.
As AI continues to spark debate within the music industry, notable instances, like the viral song featuring AI versions of Drake and The Weeknd’s voices, highlight the urgency for regulatory measures. Additionally, British artist FKA Twigs shared her plight against unauthorized use of her digital likeness in a US Senate hearing.
A UK poll conducted by the APPG on Music revealed a majority stance backing legal protection for artists’ unique creative identities against AI replication. The sentiment is echoed by over two hundred artists who have publicly objected to AI’s “predatory” use in mimicking professional musicians.
FAQ
- What was the dispute between Universal Music and TikTok about?
The dispute was centered around royalties and allegations that TikTok was not providing adequate compensation to artists and songwriters compared to similar platforms. - Which artists’ music will be returning to TikTok?
Music from high-profile artists such as Drake, Adele, and Billie Eilish, as well as others under Universal Music’s label. - How has TikTok agreed to address concerns over AI?
TikTok and Universal Music Group will collaborate to ensure that AI developments protect human artistry and the economics associated with it. Efforts will also focus on removing unauthorized AI-generated music and improving attribution to artists and songwriters. - What do the poll results by the APPG on Music suggest?
The poll suggests that a significant majority of UK adults believe that an artist’s creative “personality” should be legally protected against AI copies and that failing to credit original creators in AI-generated music amounts to theft.
Conclusion
The resolution between Universal Music and TikTok marks a significant step forward in the ongoing dialogue about fair compensation and rights protection for artists in the era of AI and digital platforms. With the reinstatement of Universal’s extensive catalog on TikTok, fans can look forward to reconnecting with their favorite music, while the industry closely observes the outcomes of this newly forged agreement. Both parties seem committed to fostering an environment that respects the creative process, ensuring that music remains a cornerstone of TikTok’s thriving social media ecosystem.