Can Muted TikTok Videos Be Unmuted After Universal Music Group Reaches Licensing Agreement?

Universal Music Group and TikTok have finally reached a licensing agreement after months of negotiations and legal threats. This agreement will bring back music by UMG-represented artists to the platform within one to two weeks, restoring sound to videos that were previously muted. Creators can expect their videos to be fully restored, as long as the original music was not replaced.

In addition to restoring music, TikTok will also work on removing AI-generated music and improving artist attribution on the platform. This agreement aims to benefit artists and creators by addressing copyright violations and protecting music from generative AI.

UMG CEO Lucian Grainge expressed excitement about the collaboration with TikTok, emphasizing the value of music and the importance of supporting artists and songwriters. TikTok CEO Shou Chew also highlighted the significance of music in the platform’s ecosystem and the commitment to promoting UMG artists and songwriters.

However, concerns arise about the future of UMG’s music on TikTok if the platform is banned in the U.S. Congress has given parent company ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok before a potential ban is implemented. The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future leaves creators and fans wondering about the fate of UMG’s music on the platform.

Overall, the agreement between UMG and TikTok signifies a positive step towards supporting artists, protecting music, and enhancing the TikTok community’s experience with music content.