Universal Music accuses TikTok of intimidation in deal talks

TikTok’s embrace of artificial intelligence tools to generate content, including with its own Creative Assistant, is deemed a major threat to artists’ rights by UMG. — Reuters

ByteDance Ltd’s TikTok is offering unfair terms and has resorted to intimidation in its talks to extend a licensing agreement for artists, according to Universal Music Group NV.

In an open letter published Tuesday (Jan 30), the music company identified fair compensation for artists and protections against AI-generated content diluting royalties as key stumbling blocks to a new deal with TikTok. The Chinese-owned firm responded by saying UMG put greed above the interests of artists and songwriters.