Meta and Universal Music Group Ink Deal to Enhance Artist Monetization

Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have agreed to expand monetization opportunities for UMG artists across Meta’s social media platforms. This partnership, which was announced recently, includes licensing arrangements extending to music used in short-form videos across Meta’s newer platforms.

The new agreement between Meta and UMG broadens the scope of licensed content to include additional Meta-owned platforms such as WhatsApp and Threads, the latter of which was introduced last year. Alongside these platforms, the agreement continues to cover other Meta services like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Meta Horizon. This expansion reflects both companies’ commitment to maximizing artists’ reach and revenue potential within the evolving social media landscape.

Addressing AI-generated content

An essential aspect of this collaboration is its focus on tackling the issue of unauthorized AI-generated content, a growing concern for artists and songwriters. While specific details of the deal remain undisclosed, Meta and UMG have indicated that their partnership will include measures to protect creators from the impact of AI-generated material that might infringe on their rights. This initiative marks a significant step towards safeguarding the integrity of human creativity in the digital age.

UMG’s chief digital officer, Michael Nash, emphasized the importance of this aspect of the deal, stating that Meta shares UMG’s vision of respecting and compensating artists fairly. Nash highlighted that addressing the challenges posed by unauthorized AI content is crucial for protecting artists’ rights now and in the future.

Licensing expansion to WhatsApp

For the first time, the new agreement will see Meta licensing UMG artists’ music and UMPG songwriters’ work for use on WhatsApp. Previously, Meta had only licensed music for its other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. This extension to WhatsApp represents a significant development, allowing for more widespread distribution and monetization of artists’ music on a platform with a global user base.

UMG, known for representing global icons like Elton John, Drake, Taylor Swift, and Bad Bunny, initially partnered with Meta, then Facebook, in 2017. This original deal made UMG the first music company to authorize using its music across Facebook’s platforms. The latest agreement builds on this foundation, ensuring artists receive fair compensation for their work in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Commitment to protecting creators

The new partnership between Meta and UMG underscores a shared commitment to protecting the interests of human creators. Both companies have expressed their dedication to ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated fairly for their contributions to the industry. Meta’s vice president of music and content business development, Tamara Hrivnak, emphasized that the partnership not only strengthens established platforms like Facebook and Instagram but also extends to new opportunities on platforms like WhatsApp.

This collaboration is part of UMG’s ongoing efforts to secure fair compensation for its artists in the digital age. Following a period of tension between the two companies earlier this year, UMG entered into another social media licensing agreement with TikTok. The deal with Meta represents a continued effort by UMG to adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving social media landscape.

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