Musicbusinessworldwide.com
Universal Music Group and TikTok have signed a new multi-year global licensing agreement, deepening their relationship two years after a highly public dispute temporarily removed UMG’s catalog from the app.
Announced Friday (May 22), the renewed deal allows TikTok users continued access to Universal’s recorded music and publishing catalog while introducing expanded promotional opportunities, fan engagement tools and new protections surrounding artificial intelligence-generated content.
The agreement builds on the companies’ 2024 reconciliation following a months-long standoff over artist compensation, AI concerns and platform safety. At the time, Universal accused TikTok of undervaluing music and failing to protect artists and songwriters from AI-related threats.
Under the new arrangement, UMG artists and songwriters will gain access to broader marketing initiatives, ecommerce integrations and artist-focused discovery features designed to strengthen connections between musicians and fans. The companies also said they plan to collaborate more closely on artist development and audience engagement campaigns worldwide.
A major focus of the partnership centers on artificial intelligence safeguards. Both companies stated they will continue working together to identify and remove unauthorized AI-generated music from TikTok while improving attribution systems for songwriters and rights holders.
Michael Nash, Universal Music Group’s executive vice president and chief digital officer, said the renewed partnership aims to further expand monetization opportunities for artists while continuing to prioritize “human artistry” amid the rapid rise of generative AI tools.
Meanwhile, Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s global head of music business development, described the platform as a unique space where music discovery and fan culture intersect, adding that the agreement will create additional opportunities for artists to grow their audiences internationally.
The announcement arrives during a pivotal moment for the music industry’s relationship with AI. TikTok has recently increased efforts to combat manipulated and unauthorized audio on its platform, including deploying new detection technology through its SoundOn distribution service earlier this year.
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