Universal Music Group and TikTok renew agreement to combat unauthorized AI music

Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have announced the renewal of their licensing agreement, marking a significant shift in their relationship. The deal includes a commitment to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform and improve how artists and songwriters are credited. In their joint announcement, UMG stated that the agreement "extends TikTok and UMG's groundbreaking commitment to AI protections that promote human artistry and ensure platform economics effectively flow through to artists and songwriters.

TikTok and UMG will work together to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, while further improving artist and songwriter attribution." The renewed agreement comes after a period of tension between UMG and TikTok. In 2024, UMG accused TikTok of not doing enough to address issues related to AI-generated music and copyright, leading to a temporary removal of its music catalog from the platform. The dispute highlighted the growing reliance of TikTok on major label licenses, as popular tracks disappeared from user videos overnight.

The music industry has been grappling with the rise of AI-generated content, with concerns about AI tools that can mimic artists' voices or create counterfeit songs that exploit streaming algorithms. Viral AI-generated tracks imitating big names like Drake and The Weeknd sparked widespread concern, especially when some racked up millions of streams before being taken down. The deal may serve as a template for how the broader tech industry navigates the collision of AI, intellectual property, and platform accountability.

As the EU tightens its regulatory grip on AI-generated content, and U.S. states increasingly follow suit, the pressure on other platforms to formalize similar governance frameworks is growing. TikTok has been working to demonstrate to the music industry that it can deliver significant earnings for artists and rights holders.

Last year, the platform launched "TikTok for Artists," an insights platform designed to help artists strengthen their promotional efforts and provide music labels with access to data.