Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok recently was announced renewing their license, which includes a commitment to rid the platform of unauthorized AI-generated music, improves the way artists and songwriters are credited.
In their joint statement, UMG said the agreement “extends TikTok and UMG’s pioneering commitment to AI protections that promote human artistry and ensure the platform’s finances flow efficiently to artists and songwriters. TikTok and UMG will work together to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform while improving artists’ songs.”
This new agreement represents a remarkable change in the relationship between UMG and TikTok.
For years, UMG has pushed platforms, streaming services and AI companies to implement stricter content control policies. Tensions between UMG and TikTok escalated in 2024 when UMG accused TikTok of not adequately addressing issues related to AI-generated music and copyright. That public backlash led to UMG’s music catalog being temporarily pulled from TikTok — a decision that underscored the app’s growing reliance on major label licenses, as popular tracks disappeared from users’ videos overnight.
The timing of TikTok’s commitment to combating fake or unlicensed music is significant, especially as the music industry grapples with an influx of AI-generated content. Over the past couple of years, the industry has become increasingly concerned about artificial intelligence tools that can mimic artists’ voices or create fake songs that exploit streaming algorithms. Viral AI-generated tracks imitating big names like Drake and The Weeknd caused widespread concern, especially when some garnered millions of streams before being taken down.
The agreement may also serve as a model for how the broader tech industry navigates the conflict of artificial intelligence, intellectual property and platform accountability. As the E.U tightens its regulatory grip on AI-generated content (and US states increasingly follow their example) around AI-generated content, pressure on other platforms to formalize similar governance frameworks is increasing.
TikTok is working to prove to the music industry that it can generate significant profits for artists and rights holders. Last year, the platform launched ‘TikTok for Artists’, an information platform designed to help artists boost their promotional efforts and give music labels access to data.
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