Meta And Universal Music Group Tackle AI Music In Recent Licensing Partnership
The expanded agreement between Meta and UMG represents a significant step forward in the relationship between the music industry and social media.
Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced an expanded global, multi-year partnership that aims to further evolve the creative and commercial opportunities for UMG artists and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) songwriters across Meta's wide array of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads, and WhatsApp. This new agreement builds on a strategic framework first established in 2017 when UMG became the first major music company to license its recorded music and publishing catalogs across Facebook's platforms.
The expanded agreement highlights both companies' shared commitment to protecting human creators and artistry, ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated fairly in the digital space. One of the key aspects of this partnership is their joint effort to address unauthorized AI-generated content that could potentially harm artists and songwriters. As AI-generated music becomes more prevalent, the partnership shows the importance of safeguarding the rights of original creators against unauthorized use of their work.
Since the initial 2017 agreement, Meta and UMG have worked closely to explore and develop new channels and creative avenues for licensed music to thrive within Meta's ecosystem. This includes platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as emerging virtual reality experiences through Meta Quest and Horizon. The partnership has been instrumental in integrating music into user-generated content (UGC), live streaming, and other Meta products, allowing artists and songwriters to connect with fans in innovative ways.
Key figures from both companies have expressed their enthusiasm for the renewed partnership. Tamara Hrivnak, Vice President of Music and Content Business Development at Meta, emphasized the role of music in connecting people and enhancing engagement across Meta's platforms. She also highlighted the partnership's potential to create new ways for fans, artists, and songwriters to interact, particularly on newer platforms like WhatsApp.
The new agreement expands monetization opportunities for UMG and its artists, particularly with the growing popularity of short-form video content. This is seen as a continuation of Meta and UMG's track record of innovation and collaboration in the digital music space. Additionally, the agreement marks the first time that UMG's music will be licensed for use on WhatsApp, opening up new possibilities for artists and songwriters to engage with audiences on the instant messaging platform.
