Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced an expansion of their multi-year music licensing agreement. This agreement permits users to share songs from UMG’s vast music library across Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, Horizon, Threads, and WhatsApp—without infringing on copyright laws.
This new agreement significantly focuses on unauthorized AI-generated content. With the rise of AI systems capable of scraping and generating music, often without the original creators’ consent, the music industry faces new challenges. Artists and songwriters are increasingly concerned about AI-generated fakes and the use of their work in training AI models without proper authorization.
Michael Nash, UMG’s Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in protecting the rights of artists and songwriters. He stated, “We look forward to continuing to work together to address unauthorized AI-generated content that could affect artists and songwriters so that UMG can continue to protect their rights both now and in the future.”
The Context of Recent Disputes and Legal Battles
This partnership follows a notable dispute between UMG and TikTok earlier this year. UMG temporarily removed its music catalog from the popular short-form video platform due to concerns over AI and online safety. However, after months of negotiations, the parties reached a resolution in May, allowing artists such as Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift to return to TikTok’s music library.
The announcement also coincides with an ongoing legal battle involving AI and the music industry. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), representing UMG and other major labels, has filed a lawsuit against music generation startups Udio and Suno. The lawsuit alleges that these companies illegally used copyrighted music to train their AI models. Despite Suno claiming that their actions were protected under fair use, this case underscores the complexities surrounding AI’s role in the music industry.
Meta’s Approach to Ethical AI Music
Meta has positioned itself as a company committed to ethical AI practices, particularly in the realm of music. The tech giant has released generative AI models, including AudioCraft, MusicGen, and Jasco, which it claims are trained exclusively on “Meta-owned and specifically licensed music.” However, Meta has also acknowledged that people could misuse AudioCraft to create deepfake versions of someone’s voice.
In addition to addressing AI-related challenges, the expanded agreement introduces new features for Meta’s users. For the first time, WhatsApp users can share licensed music from UMG within the instant messaging app. The agreement also extends to Threads, Meta’s social networking app designed to compete directly with X (formerly Twitter).
This partnership between Meta and UMG, which began in 2017, originally marked a milestone in the music industry by allowing Facebook users to upload and share videos featuring songs from UMG’s catalog. The latest expansion of their agreement signifies their ongoing commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of music and technology.
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