Universal Music Vs. TikTok: Harry Styles, Coldplay Pulled From Social Media Platform As Battle Over Music Rights Intensifies

Universal Music Group NV UMGNF, the world's largest music company, is intensifying its dispute with TikTok, the popular short-form video platform.

Following the expiration of their contract in January and subsequent failed negotiations for an extension, Universal began removing numerous songs from its catalog from TikTok, Bloomberg reported.

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This included tracks from major artists such as Harry Styles and Coldplay, marking a significant escalation in the disagreement.

The exact scope of the removal remained uncertain, but it was anticipated to affect a substantial portion of popular music on the platform. Universal’s recorded music catalog comprised more than three million songs, while its publishing operation owned and administered nearly four million songs as of 2022.

TikTok spokespersons estimated Universal and its publishing unit collectively represented around 20% to 30% of popular music on the platform.

Universal was pressuring TikTok, owned by Chinese technology company ByteDance, to increase payments to record companies and artists while seeking protections against the use of its music for AI training.

TikTok argued its platform promoted artists and resisted Universal's terms. Previously, TikTok made deals with Sony Group Corp. SONY and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc's WBD Warner Music Group, but negotiations with Universal stalled, leading to an impasse announced by Universal in January, disrupting their relationship.

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Image created using photos of JHVEPhoto and DANIEL CONSTANTE on Shutterstock.