Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have signed a new multi-year strategic licensing agreement, expanding on a partnership the two established in 2024 following a three-month royalties dispute that temporarily removed UMG’s catalog from the platform.

The agreement grants TikTok continued access to UMG’s recorded music and publishing catalogs. Financial terms and the precise length of the deal were not disclosed.

Expanded Commercial Tools for Artists

The new deal expands marketing and advertising campaigns for UMG artists and songwriters and provides access to e-commerce and other artist-centric tools through TikTok. In a press release, the companies said the agreement will support artist development initiatives and deepen fan engagement, with a focus on helping emerging artists build audiences globally.

“We’re proud of the pioneering work we’ve done with TikTok to create wide-ranging benefits for our artists and songwriters,” said Michael Nash, EVP and Chief Digital Officer of Universal Music Group. “With this new agreement, we look forward to driving innovative new fan experiences, while further improving social media monetization, and protecting and amplifying human artistry.”

Tracy Gardner, Global Head of Music Business Development at TikTok, said the agreement would help artists and songwriters “engage audiences, grow their communities and achieve career success on a global scale.”

AI Protections Extended

The deal extends commitments the two companies first made in 2024 around artificial intelligence. Under the agreement, TikTok and UMG will work together to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform and improve attribution for artists and songwriters.

As CNET notes, the announcement comes shortly after UMG reached a separate agreement with Spotify that moves in a different direction on AI, allowing subscribers to create remixes and covers of UMG music using AI tools, though that feature will require an additional paid tier.

The 2024 dispute between UMG and TikTok originated over concerns about low payment rates and AI-generated music on the platform. UMG pulled its recorded catalog in February 2024, followed by its publishing catalog the following month, before the two sides reached an initial licensing agreement in May of that year.

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