TikTok Pulling Music by Universal Artists Amid Licensing Fight
Licensing Agreement between Universal Music Group and TikTok expired Wednesday
Reported by: Hannah Hiebert
Social Media platform TikTok began pulling music by artists with Universal Music Group on Thursday amid a fight over licensing rights, according to a report by The New York Times.
This means that music by Universal artists was removed from TikTok’s music library and music by Universal Artists on existing Videos was muted, as reported by The Times. Artists signed to Universal Music Group include big names such as Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish.
In a Tuesday letter addressed to artists and songwriters, Universal Music Group stated that it had been pressing TikTok on three primary issues: “Appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users” (Universal Music Group, 2024).
TikTok pushed back against claims by Universal Music Group saying that it has reached “artist-first” agreements with every other label and publisher.
“Clearly, Universal’s self-serving actions are not in the best interest of artists, songwriters, and fans”, TikTok stated.
TikTok pulling music by artists signed through UMG concerns many. The way that music gains viral fame now is often through the social media platform and it rewards behaviour and features beyond just creating good music. It paves the way for new or underground artists to be recognized by TikTok users through the use and promotion of their music. Alex Gumuchian, the Vancouver rapper known as Bbno$, recalls how he saw the move as an opportunity back in 2019, when his single “La La La” grew in popularity through TikTok creators using the song in their videos. Additionally, he said it's a reminder of how much TikTok has come to dominate the music industry and artists' lives.
Additional Information provided by: CBC News