Just days after Universal Music Group's publishing catalog began to be pulled from TikTok, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) released a new statement highlighting its concerns about artificial intelligence and online safety on the short-form video app. The company said these are “equally” important issues for the lack of “fair compensation” to TikTok's songwriters.
UMPG also acknowledged in its new statement that “disruption is difficult for some [its songwriters]but says that leaving the TikTok app is “critical to the continued future value, safety and health of the entire music ecosystem.”
In late January, UMG announced in a letter to its artists and songwriters that it would allow its license with TikTok to expire, saying that TikTok refused to pay the “fair value” of the music and an agreement could not be reached. (Tiktok responded with its own statement hours later, saying that UMG's decision was motivated by “greed.”) Within days, UMG's tracks were removed en masse from Tiktok, including lists of superstars Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Drake, BTS and more signed to UMG labels. In the letter, the company noted that these removals would also include its publishing arm, UMPG, but the publication-related removals did not begin until Tuesday, February 26.
Now, any song, even if released by a non-UMG label, is subject to removal from TikTok if even one UMPG-signed songwriter was involved in its creation. Because UMPG is the second largest publisher in the world, these delistings were widespread, affecting almost every label in one way or another.
In response to the post takedowns, TikTok said in a statement on Wednesday, “[UMG’s] The actions not only affect songwriters and the artists they represent, but now also affect many artists and songwriters not signed to Universal. We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement with Universal Music Group.”
Read the UMPG new statement to the songwriters below in detail:
TikTok removes UMPG songs because there is no license. As you may have heard, to date, they have not agreed to recognize the fair value of your songs, which many other digital partners around the world have done.
As we previously mentioned in our I open a letter, in addition to fair compensation for your songs, the negotiations also focused on two other critical and equally important issues: protecting you, human artists and songwriters, from the harmful effects of artificial intelligence. and online safety for TikTok users, including your fans who include young children.
TikTok's AI intentions are becoming increasingly apparent. While we refuse to address our concerns about AI depriving songwriters of fair compensation or provide assurances that they won't train their AI models on your songs, recent media reports reveal “The leaders of TikTok and ByteDance have long wanted to move the app beyond music.” Reflecting on our open letter, other commenters noted where this move away from the AI-powered music industry could lead: “TikTok has an incentive to promote the use of these AI recordings over copyrighted and licensed recordings.”
Every indication is that they just don't appreciate your music.
We understand that the disruption is difficult for some of you and your careers, and we are sensitive to how this may affect you around the world. We recognize that this may be inconvenient at this time. But it is critical to the continued future value, safety and health of the entire music ecosystem, including all music fans.
As always, UMPG will only support partners who value your songwriters, artists and songs. We have a long history of successfully fighting for our songwriters and will continue to do so. You should expect nothing less from us.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/publishing/universal-music-publishing-group-tiktok-approach-ai-1235619440/