Taylor Swift Music, Drake Returns to TikTok After Licensing Deal with Universal Media Group

Songs from artists represented by Universal Music Group will return to TikTok after reaching a new licensing deal, the companies announced Wednesday.

Universal, which represents artists including Billie Eilish, Drake and Taylor Swift, pulled its artists’ music from TikTok in February after failing to reach a new licensing deal due to disputes over artist monetization and artificial intelligence protections ( AI).

The new deal, which includes commitments around AI protections, means artists’ music will return to the platform.

Some songs by the label’s artists, including songs by Taylor Swift, had already returned despite the dispute Reported variety.

As part of the new agreement, Universal Media Group and TikTok will work together to “realize new monetization opportunities” that utilize TikTok’s e-commerce capabilities, the companies announced.

Universal Media Group and TikTok will also work together to ensure that the development of AI in the music industry protects human artists and the flow of money to artists and songwriters.

TikTok will also commit to working with the record label to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, according to the announcement.

Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grange said in a statement that the label looks forward to “collaborating with the TikTok team to advance the interests of our artists and songwriters and drive innovation in fan engagement while advancing monetization.” of social music”.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew called music an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem.

“We are committed to working together to drive value, discovery and promotion for all of UMG’s incredible artists and songwriters, and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community,” Chew said in a statement.