Universal Music Group (UMG) is on the brink of removing its extensive catalog from TikTok, unleashing a potential industry shake-up. The looming decision hinges on unresolved issues such as artist royalties, deepfake proliferation, and concerns about hate speech and harassment on the platform.
In a public letter titled “Why we must call time out on TikTok,” UMG accused TikTok of indifference and later intimidation regarding these critical issues. Recent negotiations apparently worsened the situation, leading to an even more unfavorable offer from TikTok, according to UMG. TikTok swiftly responded, dismissing UMG’s claims as false and self-serving, asserting its inability to prevent the music giant from leaving.
TikTok’s longstanding challenge has been the unauthorized use of songs on its platform, prompting nearly 200,000 copyright removal requests in the first half of 2023. To address this, TikTok entered direct agreements with labels, housing licensed songs in a Commercial Music Library. UMG now threatens to revoke these licenses, impacting TikTok users’ ability to feature music from major artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and others.
UMG contends that TikTok’s compensation to artists is a fraction of what other major platforms pay, and it accuses the platform of inadequately addressing deepfake and AI-generated content issues. The impending removal of UMG’s vast catalog raises questions about the fate of existing videos that may infringe on copyrights. TikTok’s tool to detect copyrighted sounds and mute content adds complexity to the situation, leaving creators and users uncertain about potential repercussions.
As the standoff intensifies, the practical implications and potential fallout for both TikTok and UMG artists remain uncertain, signaling a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between music labels and social media platforms.