TikTok and Universal settle music royalties dispute

TikTok and Universal have reached a settlement over music royalties, allowing artists like Ariana Grande and Drake to have their songs used on the platform once more.

The deal means songs from artists including Ariana Grande and Drake can be used on the Tiktok platform again.

Once again, users will have the opportunity to create videos featuring songs by artists such as Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande on TikTok. A dispute over compensation between the platform and Universal Music Group led to the withdrawal of music from some of the world’s most renowned artists.

However, the rift seems to have been resolved, with both parties announcing “improved remuneration” for artists, although the specific financial details remain undisclosed. In a communication to employees obtained by the BBC, Universal’s CEO Sir Lucian Grainge mentioned that TikTok has agreed to significant changes.

The new agreement promises greater compensation for artists and songwriters compared to the previous deal. The companies are swiftly working to reinstate Universal’s music on TikTok, including restoring audio to previously muted videos. Notably, Taylor Swift, a prominent artist under the label, had already independently agreed to return her music to the platform due to owning the copyrights to her songs.

TikTok’s head, Shou Zi Chew, emphasized the significance of music to the platform’s ecosystem and expressed satisfaction in reaching a resolution with Universal Music Group. This development unfolds against the backdrop of TikTok’s legal battle in the United States, where it intends to contest a law that could potentially lead to its sale or banishment from the country.

Drake and The Weeknd, major stars returning to the scene, found themselves embroiled in a dispute concerning artificial intelligence (AI) back in 2023. A viral TikTok song, utilizing AI to replicate their voices, amassed 15 million views before being taken down due to copyright infringement, as stated by Universal Music Group.

In their upcoming return, both artists will be part of a deal incorporating what the companies term “industry-leading protections” regarding AI on TikTok. TikTok and Universal released a joint statement expressing their commitment to safeguarding human creativity amidst advancing technology. They pledged to collaborate on eliminating unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform and enhancing attribution for artists and songwriters.

Sir Lucian emphasized that the agreement enables the removal of AI-generated “fake artist” songs, addressing concerns voiced in their previous open letter. Moreover, he acknowledged TikTok’s promises regarding the responsible training of AI on music and thanked musicians for their support.

Ole Obermann, TikTok’s head of music business development, stressed their joint effort to ensure the responsible development of AI tools, fostering a new era of musical innovation and fan engagement while preserving human creativity.

Previously, artists like Eilish and Nicki Minaj advocated for tech companies to refrain from creating AI music-generating tools. Whether the commitments made by TikTok and Universal fully assuage these concerns remains to be seen.

TikTok and Universal Music Group have finally reached an agreement on music royalties. This means that artists whose music is used on TikTok will now be fairly compensated for their work. It’s a big win for musicians and songwriters, and it could have a huge impact on how music is shared and enjoyed on social media. This settlement marks a positive step towards a more equitable music industry. What do you think about this development? Let’s keep an eye on how it unfolds!

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