Just three months after Universal Music Group removed its catalog (which has most major artists) from TikTok, the music label has reached a “multi-dimensional” deal with the app.
UMG pulled its music from TikTok back in February after their old contract expired. The label, which is home to artists like Taylor Swift, UNITED, Maggie Rogers and thousands more, shared that the new deal will address concerns its artists have with generative AI. The deal will “protect human artistry and the economics that flow to those artists and songwriters.”
Additionally, TikTok will work with UMG to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform.
“We are delighted to welcome UMG and UMPG back to TikTok,” said Ole Obermann, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development. “In particular, we will work together to make sure that AI tools are developed responsibly to enable a new era of musical creativity and fan engagement while protecting human creativity.”
It’s a necessary response as generative AI improves its ability to mimic artists. AI-generated audios of real artists singing fake songs or covers have grown in popularity on the app. However, artists have had their hands tied when it comes to taking down AI audio, until now.
Both UMG and TikTok said they are “working expeditiously” to return artists to the platform.
