August 7, 2024 – Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced the expansion of their multi-year music licensing agreement. This enhanced partnership enables users to share songs from UMG’s extensive music library across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Horizon, Threads, and WhatsApp, without infringing on copyright laws. The agreement marks a significant step forward in fostering creativity and user engagement on social media while ensuring that artists’ rights are protected.
Addressing Unauthorized AI-Generated Content
A key aspect of the new agreement is its focus on combating unauthorized AI-generated content. This refers to instances where songs are scraped by AI systems without the original creators’ consent, a growing concern for artists and songwriters whose work is being used by AI companies to train models.
Michael Nash, UMG’s Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “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.”
Historical Context and Industry Challenges
The expansion of Meta and UMG’s agreement comes after a series of disputes and negotiations within the music industry regarding AI and music rights. Earlier this year, UMG’s music catalog was temporarily removed from TikTok due to concerns over online safety and AI misuse. However, the companies reached an agreement in May, allowing music from prominent artists like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift to return to the platform.
Additionally, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents UMG and other major labels, recently filed a lawsuit against music generation startups Udio and Suno. The lawsuit alleges that these companies used copyrighted music to train their AI models. Suno admitted to using copyrighted songs but defended its actions as legal under the fair use doctrine.
Meta’s Ethical Approach to AI Music
Meta claims to be taking a responsible approach to AI music by ensuring that its generative AI models—AudioCraft, MusicGen, and Jasco—are trained using “Meta-owned and specifically licensed music.” This approach aims to balance technological innovation with ethical considerations. However, Meta has acknowledged potential risks, noting that AudioCraft could be misused to create deepfakes of someone’s voice.
New Features and Platform Integration
For the first time, WhatsApp users can now share licensed music from UMG within the instant messaging app, expanding the reach of UMG’s music library. The integration also includes Threads, Meta’s social networking app and a direct competitor to X (formerly Twitter). This development underscores Meta’s commitment to enhancing user experience across its platforms by providing seamless access to licensed music content.
A Long-Standing Partnership
The collaboration between Meta and UMG began in 2017, marking the first instance of a major music company allowing Facebook users to upload and share videos featuring songs from its catalog. This partnership has evolved to address the complexities of digital music sharing in the age of AI, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect artists’ rights while embracing new technological possibilities.
By expanding their agreement, Meta and UMG are taking proactive steps to address the challenges posed by AI-generated content and ensure a fair and creative environment for artists and users alike. As AI continues to influence the music industry, partnerships like this one will be crucial in shaping the future of music rights and innovation.