Universal Music Group and TikTok have renewed their global licensing agreement, placing AI governance at the centre of the partnership. The deal commits both companies to removing unauthorised AI-generated music from the platform while strengthening attribution systems for artists and songwriters.
The agreement marks a significant thaw after a public falling-out in 2024, when UMG pulled its entire catalogue from TikTok over concerns about AI-generated content and inadequate copyright protections. The dispute exposed how dependent the platform had become on major label licences.
The renewed terms arrive as regulators in the EU and US tighten oversight of AI-generated content, and could serve as an industry template for how platforms formalise accountability around synthetic media and intellectual property.
