If you're a TikTok user, you might have noticed the sudden absence of certain songs on the platform. This significant shift stems from UMG's decision to pull its catalog from TikTok. But why did Universal Music Group (UMG) remove music from TikTok?
On January 30, 2023, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, recently announced that it would be pulling its music - including Taylor Swift, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny, and thousands of other artists - from TikTok.
In our comprehensive guide, we delve into the reasons behind Universal Music Group's (UMG) decision to remove its music from TikTok, a move that has stirred significant discussions within the music and digital content communities.
Why did Univeral (UMG) remove music from TikTok?
Universal Music Group (UMG) removed its music from TikTok due to failed negotiations over a new licensing agreement. The negotiation between UMG and TikTok failed primarily due to TikTok's inadequate compensation for artists and songwriters.
UMG criticized TikTok for proposing to pay artists and songwriters at rates significantly lower than those offered by similarly situated major social platforms, indicating that despite TikTok's vast user base and increasing reliance on music-based content, it contributes only about 1% to UMG's total revenue.
Compensation concerns are just the tip of the iceberg; UMG raised concerns over TikTok's approach to AI-generated content, accusing the platform of allowing and encouraging such content, which could potentially dilute royalties for human artists.
Additionally, UMG criticized TikTok for its inadequate response to online safety issues, highlighting a lack of meaningful solutions to address copyright infringement, hate speech, and harassment, thus failing to create a safe environment for users and artists alike.
UMG's final stance is unwavering, prioritising the fight for fair compensation and a respectful platform environment for artists. They refuse to succumb to intimidation or threats, emphasizing their commitment to securing an agreement that values music appropriately and ensures a safe, creatively respectful platform for all users.