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[Annie]

Universal Music Group Warns It Will Pull Songs From TikTok After Deal Expiration

"TikTok says UMG 'has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters'"

Universal Music Group, one of the largest music companies in the world, said it failed to reach new deal terms with TikTok over issues including artist compensation and AI — and that TikTok tried to "bully" UMG into a deal worth less than its previous pact. As such, Universal Music said it will no longer license content to the app.

UMG said that its agreement with TikTok is set to expire on Jan. 31. "The companies have not agreed to terms for a new agreement and upon expiration of the current agreement, Universal Music Group, including Universal Music Publishing Group, will cease licensing content to TikTok and TikTok Music services," the company said in a statement.

Artists on Universal Music Group labels include Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Sting, The Weeknd, Alicia Keys, SZA, Steve Lacy, Drake, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Adele, U2, Elton John, J Balvin, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and Post Malone.

TikTok, owned by Chinese internet conglomerate ByteDance, is the massively popular short-form video app whose core features let users create and share videos using licensed music and other sounds.

In response to UMG, TikTok said in a statement, "It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters. Despite Universal's false narrative and rhetoric, the fact is they have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for their talent.
TikTok has been able to reach 'artist-first' agreements with every other label and publisher. Clearly, Universal's self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans."

Read more:
https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/universal-music-group-pulling-songs-tiktok-licensing-deal-1235892437/amp/

[Annie]

Imagine all the TikTok videos people recorded, lipsyncing, zero sound    and if Taylor's music gets pulled how do the Swifties mentally cope with this? 

[Annie]

Two big companies accusing each other of greed, how ironic

Here's the list of artists:
https://www.umusicpub.com/us/Artists.aspx

Ariana needs all the promo in the world
Justin Timberlake just dropped his singles and won't be able to promote on TikTok I guess..
Nicki and Megan are on there too

[The definition]

Good. They should remove all music from that shady Chinese app, it even steals people's personal data from their phones

[Stunna Gor’]

d

at TikTok trying to accuse UMG of greed. They're basically saying give us your music for little to nothing. Im on UMG's side with this, im sorry.

[oph.]

vvgtjhh the bags that are about to be LOST

[Annie]

Good. They should remove all music from that shady Chinese app, it even steals people's personal data from their phones

I am ready for TikTok to disappear honestly 

[Annie]

d

at TikTok trying to accuse UMG of greed. They're basically saying give us your music for little to nothing. Im on UMG's side with this, im sorry.

They tried it "but it's a free app 🥺"

[Nine]

No shade, but a lot of artists needs Tiktok more than Tiktok needs them.

Not a good move imo.

[JCJ]

No shade, but a lot of artists needs Tiktok more than Tiktok needs them.

Not a good move imo.

Yeah I get their pov but a lot of these songs wouldn't be hits without it

[Gilgamesh.]

d

at TikTok trying to accuse UMG of greed. They're basically saying give us your music for little to nothing. Im on UMG's side with this, im sorry.

They tried it "but it's a free app 🥺"