TikTok has started the process of removing music owned by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) following a licensing dispute between the two companies. In January, UMPG informed TikTok that it would remove music from the platform, as the two sides failed to reach a new licensing agreement, and the current contract between them expired. UMPG is seeking “appropriate compensation” for the use of its music, while TikTok asserts its platform provides “free promotion” for UMPG’s talent.
TikTok is now required to remove all songs associated with UMPG as the current license agreement is due to expire on March 1. That means removing songs written, co-written, owned and/or distributed by UMPG or UMG and muting any videos containing the music. That includes work by artists including Adele, Harry Styles, SZA, Rosalía, Justin Timberlake, and Bad Bunny.
TikTok stated that it remains committed to reaching an equitable agreement with UMG. Sir Lucian Grainge, the managing director of UMG, said: “There must not be free rides for massive global platforms. We hope that we will be able to find solutions.” Estimates of the impact of UMPG’s decision continue to be debated in reports. MBW pointed to a “test” conducted by TikTok in Australia that found that the market declined last year after users were restricted from accessing major label music. MBW reports that sources within TikTok dispute these figures
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