TikTok content creators who use international songs may face challenges as Universal Music Group (UMG) plans to remove all its songs from TikTok by January 31.
This move is expected to impact TikTok, its artists, and content creators, as losing access to UMG's extensive content library hampers one of TikTok's key features, allowing users to easily incorporate licensed music into their videos.
The world's largest record label made this announcement due to the failure to reach an agreement with TikTok on compensation terms during the contract renewal negotiations for 2024.
UMG represents renowned artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Selena Gomez, Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Post Malone, and others.
UMG revealed that the contract with TikTok expired on January 31, and as an agreement was not reached, it remains unrenewed.
The record label accused TikTok of attempting to pressure them into accepting an unfavourable deal that undervalues music, harms emerging artists, and disadvantages songwriters and fans.
UMG stated, "TikTok tactics are obvious, using its platform power to hurt vulnerable artists and trying to intimidate us into conceding to a bad deal."
TikTok responded by accusing UMG of prioritizing greed over the interests of artists and songwriters.
TikTok expressed disappointment with UMG's decision to walk away from a platform with over a billion users, emphasizing that TikTok has reached artist-first agreements with every other label and publisher.
As of now, neither company has provided additional statements.
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