Universal-TikTok feud intensifies
NEW YORK CITY: Universal Music Group (UMG) has lambasted TikTok’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) as the feud between the two companies over song royalties escalates and popular music is expunged from the social media platform.
The result of the closely watched negotiations could have significant ripple effects across the industry, as two of the most powerful players in the music and tech industries jockey for leverage in a landscape rife with uncertainty over AI.
In early February, music by Taylor Swift, BTS and Drake left TikTok after a breakdown in negotiations with Universal over renewing their licensing agreement, which expired on January 31.
Then this week, TikTok began stripping music from all artists connected to Universal’s vast publishing catalog, per the multinational music company’s requirement, with all songs written by Universal Music Publishing Group’s songwriters subject to removal.
That affects any artist who may have a publishing deal with the label even if they are not signed under the UMG recording umbrella.
“We are in the process of carrying out Universal Music Group’s requirement to remove all songs that have been written [or co-written] by a songwriter signed to Universal Music Publishing Group, based on information they have provided,” said TikTok in a statement.
Universal fired back late Thursday in an open statement to its songwriters, saying TikTok has “not agreed to recognize the fair value of your songs.”
Along with royalties, TikTok is “refusing to respond to our concerns about AI depriving songwriters from fair compensation, or provide assurances that they will not train their AI models on your songs,” Universal said.
TikTok previously had accused Universal of putting “greed” above artists’ interests, while Universal has said TikTok is “trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music.”
‘Protected’ or ‘ass-backwards?’
Universal’s publishing arm is the second largest of its kind worldwide, meaning the feud’s impact is far-reaching.
A piece of music has two copyrights: one for the recording itself, governed by a label, and another for lyrics and composition, managed by a publisher.
That means a record from another company like Sony or Warner could go silent on TikTok if a Universal writer worked on the song.
The fallout has triggered concern among performers, songwriters and producers who rely on TikTok as a promotional tool, especially for emerging artists who increasingly count on it for exposure in the industry.