Universal Music Group Pulls Catalog From TikTok Over Licensing Dispute, Affecting Top Artists
-
Universal Music Group has removed its music from TikTok after failing to reach a licensing agreement, affecting top artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Drake.
-
UMG accused TikTok of trying to pay artists "a fraction of the rate" of other platforms, making up just 1% of UMG's revenue.
-
TikTok brings UMG little revenue but provides huge promotional value; UMG said leaving was an "overriding responsibility" to properly compensate artists.
-
UMG also criticized TikTok's stance on AI music and ongoing content moderation issues, calling their approach "woefully outdated."
-
It's unclear how long UMG music will stay off TikTok during tense negotiations; UMG seems unwilling to budge without fairer artist payment terms.