TikTok users can listen to their favourite UMG artists — once again

After three months of disagreement, Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have reached a new licensing agreement, bringing back music from superstar artists like Drake, Adele, and Billie Eilish to the popular video platform.

The conflict arose in January when UMG disagreed with the terms of TikTok's previous licensing deal. UMG argued for three key points: fairer compensation for their artists and songwriters, safeguards against the potential harm of AI on artists, and improved online safety for TikTok users.

While TikTok maintained they already had good deals with other music companies, a solution was eventually reached. This new agreement promises significant benefits for both sides.

UMG artists can expect to see increased financial rewards from their music used on TikTok. Additionally, the agreement includes measures to protect artists from the potential negative impacts of AI development in the music industry. UMG will also collaborate with TikTok to develop tools that improve artist and songwriter attribution.

For TikTok, the deal secures access to UMG's massive music library, a major win for their platform. This agreement strengthens their position as a hub for music discovery. The agreement also extends beyond just licensing music. UMG and TikTok plan to work together on initiatives that support artists across genres and territories globally.

While music fans can celebrate, a question mark hangs over TikTok itself. The U.S. government recently required TikTok's parent company ByteDance, to sell the platform to a U.S.-approved buyer within a year or face a shutdown. Whether this law holds up and if ByteDance would be willing to sell remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, music lovers can rejoice for now. With this new agreement, fans can once again discover and enjoy their favourite UMG artists on TikTok, while artists gain valuable protections and publicity.