Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has shared a new statement regarding the music they've pulled out from TikTok.
Following the release of their open letter in January, UMPG shared another statement, saying that TikTok has been removing UMPG songs due to the lack of licenses in place. "They have not agreed to recognize the fair value of your songs, which so many other digital partners around the world have done," the global music publishing company shared on 1 March (Friday).
According to the statement, negotiations were made in an effort to protect artists and songwriters against the harmful effects of AI and the online safety of TikTok users, but TikTok has refused to respond to UMPG's concerns.
"We understand the disruption is difficult for some of you and your careers, and we are sensitive to how this may affect you around the world," UMPG wrote. "We recognize that this might be uncomfortable at the moment. But it is critical for the sustained future value, safety and health of the entire music ecosystem, including all music fans."
UMPG closed their statement, saying that they "will only support partners that value songwriters, artists, and your songs." They wrote, "We have a long history of successfully fighting for our songwriters and will continue to do so. You should expect nothing less from us."
Read the full statement below.
TikTok is removing UMPG songs because there is no license in place. As you may have heard, to date, they have not agreed to recognize the fair value of your songs, which so many other digital partners around the world have done.
As we previously addressed in our open letter, in addition to fair compensation for your songs, the negotiations have also focused on two other critical and equally important issues: protecting you, human artists and songwriters, from the harmful effects of AI; and online safety for TikTok’s users, including your fans which include young children.
TikTok’s intentions with respect to AI are increasingly apparent. While refusing to respond to our concerns about AI depriving songwriters from fair compensation, or provide assurances that they will not train their AI models on your songs, recent media reports reveal “TikTok and ByteDance leaders have long wanted to move the app beyond music.” Reflecting on our open letter, other commentators have noted where this distancing from the music industry could lead, fueled by AI: “TikTok has an incentive to push the use of these AI recordings rather than the copyrighted and licensed recordings.”
Every indication is that they simply do not value your music.
We understand 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 might be uncomfortable at the moment. But it is critical for the sustained future value, safety and health of the entire music ecosystem, including all music fans.
As always, UMPG will only support partners that value songwriters, artists and your 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.
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