UMG and TikTok Reach Agreement: Human Artistry Protected, Fair Compensation Guaranteed for Universal Music Group's Artists

New York City, New York, USA United States of America
The agreement includes new monetization opportunities for UMG through TikTok's e-commerce services and artist-centric tools.
The deal addresses UMG's concerns about AI by ensuring human artistry is protected and fair compensation for artists and songwriters.
TikTok has committed to removing unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform and improving artist attribution.
UMG removed its music from TikTok due to disagreements over fair compensation, but the dispute also raised concerns about content infringement and problematic content.
UMG's artists, including Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, will be accessible to TikTok's one billion users again.
Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have reached a new agreement.
UMG and TikTok Reach Agreement: Human Artistry Protected, Fair Compensation Guaranteed for Universal Music Group's Artists

Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have reached a new agreement, ending their months-long dispute over royalties and concerns regarding AI on the platform. UMG's artists, including Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, will once again be accessible to TikTok's one billion users.

The deal addresses UMG's concerns about generative AI by ensuring that human artistry is protected and that artists and songwriters receive fair compensation. TikTok has committed to removing unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, as well as improving artist attribution.

UMG's chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge, expressed his delight at the new partnership: “This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community.”

TikTok CEO Shou Chew also shared his excitement about deepening relationships with UMG's artists: “We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG's amazing artists and songwriters.”

The agreement comes after months of negotiations, during which time UMG removed its music from TikTok due to disagreements over fair compensation. The dispute also raised concerns about the platform's handling of content infringement and problematic content.

UMG's roster of artists was initially pulled from TikTok on February 1, 2024, but the companies have now come to a resolution that will see their collaboration continue. The deal includes new monetization opportunities for UMG through TikTok's e-commerce services and artist-centric tools.



Confidence

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No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

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  • Unique Points
    • UMG and TikTok have reached a new agreement
    • UMG's roster of artists, including Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, will return to TikTok’s one billion-plus users
    • The deal addresses concerns UMG and its artists have with generative AI on TikTok
    • UMG and TikTok will work together to ensure AI development protects human artistry and economics for artists and songwriters
    • TikTok is committed to removing unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

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  • Unique Points
    • Universal Music Group and TikTok have settled their royalty dispute and AI policies after months of standoff.
    • UMG’s music will return to TikTok imminently as the companies collaborate on new monetization opportunities using TikTok’s e-commerce capabilities.
    • TikTok had faced criticism for its lack of effort in dealing with content infringement and rising tide of problematic content, leading to UMG’s initial ban.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority with the quotes from Lucian Grainge and Shou Chew. They make statements about the value of music, human artistry, and the welfare of the creative community. However, no explicit fallacies were found in their statements.
    • ]The only means available to seek the removal of infringing or problematic content (such as pornographic deepfakes of artists) is through the monumentally cumbersome and inefficient process which equates to the digital equivalent of ‘Whack-a-Mole.’[/...]
    • We will always fight for our artists and songwriters and stand up for the creative and commercial value of music.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

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  • Unique Points
    • Universal Music Group and TikTok have reached a new 'multi-dimensional licensing agreement'.
    • UMG artists’ music, including that of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Drake, was removed from TikTok due to a dispute over royalties.
    • UMG accused TikTok of not paying fair value for music.
    • Taylor Swift’s music returned to TikTok ahead of her album release in April.
    • Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, stated: ‘This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community.’
    • TikTok CEO Shou Chew stated: ‘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.’
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

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  • Unique Points
    • UMG and TikTok have struck a new licensing agreement after three months of negotiations.
    • UMG's last license with TikTok expired at the end of January due to disagreements over fair compensation and concerns about AI and artist safety.
    • The new deal will bring UMG's catalog of millions of sound recordings and songs back to TikTok, though an exact timeline has not been disclosed.
    • UMG's music was removed from TikTok starting February 1, affecting artists like Taylor Swift, BTS, Drake, Ariana Grande and many others.
    • The deal will improve remuneration for UMG and artists by providing new promotional and engagement opportunities as well as industry-leading protections regarding generative AI.
    • TikTok will collaborate with UMG to realize monetization opportunities through its ecommerce services, such as TikTok Shop.
    • To address UMG's concerns about AI and artist safety, TikTok will strengthen safety measures for artists and fans, work with UMG to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, improve artist and songwriter attribution, and help UMG's talent get paid for uses on the platform.
    • Lucian Grainge, CEO of UMG, expressed that the deal focuses on 'the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community.'
    • Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, stated that they are committed to working with UMG to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG's artists and songwriters.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The author quotes multiple parties, including executives from Universal Music Group and TikTok, in reporting the news of a new licensing deal between the two companies. These quotes do not constitute fallacies as they accurately represent the positions of those being quoted.
    • ]Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have struck a new licensing agreement[...] According to a press release about their new deal, UMG and TikTok will now enter a ‘new era of strategic collaboration’[...] Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group, says of the deal: ‘This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the welfare of the creative community.’[...] Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, adds: ‘Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group.’[...] Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer and EVP, Universal Music Group says: ‘Developing transformational partnerships with important innovators is critical to UMG’s commitment to promoting an environment in which artists and songwriters prosper.’
    • ]UMG allowed its last TikTok license to expire on Feb. 1, citing unfair compensation for its catalog as well as AI and artist safety concerns.[...] Eventually, over the course of February, millions of sound recordings and compositions in the UMG catalog were removed from TikTok[...] This included the removal of superstars like Taylor Swift, BTS, Drake, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber.[...] TikTok will also invest ‘significant resources into building artist-centric tools.’[...] To address UMG’s concerns about AI and artist safety, the press release says the app will strengthen safety for artists and fans[...] Ole Obermann, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development, says: ‘We are delighted to welcome UMG and UMPG back to TikTok. We look forward to working together to forge a path that creates deeper connections between artists, creators, and fans.’
    • ]UMG announced that its music would be pulled from the app starting Feb. 1 in a letter to its artists and songwriters[...] UMG’s last license with TikTok expired at the end of January after negotiations soured between the two companies.[...] The impact stretched even wider when UMG’s publishing interests were also removed from TikTok[...] Since the anonymous TikTok user Ghostwriter used the platform to release his song ‘Heart On My Sleeve’ last year, which featured the AI voices of Drake and the Weeknd, TikTok has been a destination for AI voice parody songs[...] The two companies will now collaborate to realize more monetization opportunities within TikTok’s ecommerce services[...] TikTok will also invest ‘significant resources into building artist-centric tools.’
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication