Universal Music Group, the music label that represents stars like
Taylor Swift and Drake,
will cease licensing its music to TikTok.
It accuses the social media platform of bullying and intimidation
in its contract negotiations.
The previous music licensing agreement between UMG and Tiktok's parent
company,
By Dance, expired yesterday, UMG took its argument public,
saying in an open letter.
It's pushing for appropriate compensation for artists,
protection from artificial intelligence, and online safety for Tick Tocks
users,
UMG said. Tick Tock tried to bully the label by
selectively removing the music of some of its developing artists.
Tick Tock responded, accusing the label of putting greed above
the interests of their artists and songwriters.
Called UMG's characterization of the negotiations a false narrative.
Well, you know, like there's this back and forth about.
What's fair to get paid?
When is your music getting used?
And This is why that you see on social media
a lot of times it'll takedown your content if you
try to put it your own soundtrack to it.
Well, and also you know,
five years ago, I would say Universal and the music
side had the upper hand.
But you look at the songs that Tick Tock can
just make or break and you have a song from
10 years ago,
20 years ago that suddenly blows up as a #1
because it's on TikTok videos.
And so they are a hit maker now.
And so you know that's that's changed the power dynamics
between these companies.
It's. I mean it, it is interesting in the sense
that TikTok having the power,
but also what are we fighting over in terms of
dollar value,
you know what I mean?
It doesn't seem as if it's going to be.
Make or break financially for for TikTok to be able
to share that much ad revenue.
So it's kind of interesting because,
you know, it tends to be just a trickle for
most artists.
It would be problematic though.
It's true for the emerging young artists not to have
their music on TikTok where it's most widely shared.
And if and if that's the place where there's some
hang up and if Tik Toks taking that,
you know, you can see why that would be problematic.
Ask Rick Astley the Power of.
Social media True. Yeah. When when the 10 year old
twins start to Rick roll their mom.
It's it's for those who don't know Rick rolling,
right?
On it, OK, Yeah. You've all been written.
He hasn't he? I mean,
he hasn't recorded in decades,
right. He's just kind of how amazing is that to
come back and have that kind of reemergence.
But thanks, social media.