The largest record label group in the world, Universal Music, has released an incensed open letter on TikTok titled “Why We Must Call Time Out.” As a reciprocal move, the social media site attacked the “false narrative and rhetoric”.
Before its current contract expires today, Universal claimed it has pressed on “three critical issues”: remuneration for artists and songwriters, protection from the “harmful effects” of AI, and online safety. The letter was published online and was headed Why We Must Call Time Out On TikTok.
In response to requests from the world’s largest music label group, the video-hosting website “first with indifference, and then with intimidation” and “attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal” by deleting the music of up-and-coming artists while preserving the works of “audience-driving” global stars, according to the open letter.
By permitting the website to be “flooded” with recordings created by AI, TikTok was accused by Universal of “trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music” and of essentially “sponsoring artist replacement by AI”.
According to the letter, it suggested compensating songwriters and musicians “a fraction” of what other comparable social media sites charge for access to their back catalog.
