Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) have refreshed their licensing agreements to broaden the use of UMG’s content across more Meta social apps.
The new multiyear agreement now includes licensed media in shortform videos on Threads and WhatsApp, in addition to Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Meta Horizon.
In a press statement, Meta’s VP of music and content business development, Tamara Hrivnak, expressed that the partnership between Meta, UMG, and Universal Music Publishing Group will enable the companies to collaborate “in new ways on WhatsApp, and more.” While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, the companies have stated that the partnership is “multifaceted” and will address “unauthorized AI-generated content that could affect artists and songwriters,” among other matters.
Meta and UMG have had agreements since 2017, when Meta was still known as Facebook. These previous agreements allowed users to upload videos and content using music from UMG on platforms like Instagram and Oculus, addressing copyright infringement issues.
The agreement with UMG covers Meta’s content in ways that TikTok struggled to secure. Similar to the Meta deal, AI played a central role in the TikTok agreement. In February, TikTok began removing videos that used not only music owned by UMG but also content that featured music by artists with publishing agreements with Universal Music Publishing Group.
TikTok aimed to remove all content connected with the publisher by the end of February, but later, in May, the companies resolved the dispute and allowed music by artists like Taylor Swift and Drake to return to the platform.
