TikTok issues a statement in response to Universal Music Group's threat to remove songs by Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Harry Styles, BTS and more amid a dispute over royalties.
- Feb 1, 2024
AceShowbiz - TikTok appears to be unfazed by Universal Music Group's threat to remove music by artists such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Harry Styles and BTS (Bangtan Boys) off the platform. In a statement issued by the company on Wednesday, January 31 amid a dispute over royalties with the music label, TikTok called out UMG for putting "their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters."
The statement by TikTok read, "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," the company went on claiming. "Clearly, Universal's self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans."
TikTok issued the statement in response to Universal's "open letter to the artist and songwriter community" laying down the reason "why we must call time out on TikTok." As its music licensing agreement with TikTok is set to expire on January 31, the music label said, "TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay."
"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," it stated.
Universal further accused TikTok of bullying and intimidating tactic. "As our negotiations continued, TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal, far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth," it claimed, alleging that TikTok attempted to intimidate it by "selectively removing the music of certain of our developing artists," while keeping "audience-driving global stars."
Moreover, Universal is taking issue with TikTok allowing a flood of AI-generated music and developing tools to "enable, promote and encourage AI music creation." According to UMG, TikTok is "demanding a contractual right which would allow this content to massively dilute the royalty pool for human artists, in a move that is nothing short of sponsoring artist replacement by AI."
"Ultimately TikTok is trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music," the company concluded.
Olivia Rodrigo, Drake, Bad Bunny, SZA, Adele, Billie Eilish, Blackpink, J. Cole, Demi Lovato and Kendrick Lamar are among other artists who are represented by UMG.
