Universal Music Group, which represents major stars such as Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and Drake, has warned that it will pull its songs from TikTok after failing to agree to new licensing terms.
In a brief statement late Tuesday, UMG said it “will stop licensing content for the TikTok and TikTok Music services” after the current contract expires on Wednesday.
In an open letter to artists and songwriters, UMG claimed that TikTok is “trying to build a business based on music, without paying fair value for the music.”
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The hugely popular video-sharing platform, owned by China-based Bytedance, is a major influencer in the music world, and UMG said its analysis found that “the majority of content on TikTok” contains music, more so than on other social networks.
UMG, one of the world's largest music companies, said in the letter that it was unable to reach an agreement with TikTok on three key issues: compensation for artists, protection of human artists from the “harmful effects” of artificial intelligence, and the Internet. Safety of TikTok users.
“TikTok has proposed to pay our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate major social media platforms pay in the same situation,” UMG said, adding that TikTok “allows the platform to be flooded with AI-generated recordings…in a move that is no less.” From sponsorship of replacing the artist with artificial intelligence.
UMG said TikTok was indifferent to its concerns, and tried to “bully” the company into accepting a deal worth less than the current deal.
Other UMG artists include Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, U2, Pearl Jam, Justin Bieber, Adele, Elton John and Bob Dylan.
UMG shares listed in Amsterdam UMG,
It has risen by about 18% over the past 12 months.
