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.