Negotiations between TikTok and Universal Music Group have hit a snag, resulting in the removal of songs by artists like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and The Beatles from the platform.
As of Thursday, all music licensed to Universal is absent from TikTok’s library, leading to the muting of videos featuring Universal-licensed music.
The previous licensing agreement between UMG and TikTok expired on January 31st.
Following the breakdown in negotiations, Universal Music Group accused TikTok on Tuesday of attempting to establish a music-centric business without adequately compensating for the music it uses.
The talks included discussions on fair compensation for artists and songwriters, ensuring online safety for users, and safeguarding artists from potential harms associated with artificial intelligence, according to Universal.
In response, TikTok expressed disappointment, stating that it is “sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists.”
Universal Music Group represents a vast array of artists, including Kendrick Lamar, U2, and Bob Dylan.
While TikTok boasts a substantial user base, Universal mentioned that it contributes only around one percent to the label’s total revenue.
Universal also highlighted additional concerns, including the prevalence of AI-generated recordings on the platform and a perceived lack of effort to address infringements on artists’ music.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, stands as one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, boasting over one billion users.
It serves as a significant avenue for emerging artists and functions as a promotional tool for music labels.
