Universal Music Group (UMG) made headlines this week when they initiated the removal of their extensive catalog from the TikTok short form video platform, which has seen the music from megastars such as Taylor Swift and Drake removed.
This comes as UMG and TikTok failed to negotiate a renewal of their licensing agreement that allowed TikTok to feature music from some of the biggest names in the music industry, impacting millions of TikTok content creators as a result.
For pre-existing content that included music from Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and other global superstars will be muted.
Things don’t seem on track to resolve soon, as UMG publicly accused the TikTok platform of trying to coerce them into accepting an unfavorable agreement, which falls short of addressing the record label’s concerns over fair artist remuneration, the implications of generative AI on copyright and creativity, and the assurance of a safe online environment for both creators and users, according to FOX News.
TikTok responded, saying that UMG’s actions were motivated by self-interest and says that it undermines the benefits of their platform which is home to over a billion users, and criticized UMG for prioritizing profit over the interests of the artists and songwriters it represents.
UMG and TikTok have a long way to go in repairing their working relationship and coming to a deal, and with the Super Bowl on the horizon and Taylor Swift heavily involved in that global coverage, it seems like a major missed opportunity for new content on the platform.
