META, UMG EXPAND LICENSING PACT

Meta and Universal Music Group are expanding their partnership to create more opportunities for UMG artists and Universal Music Publishing Group songwriters on Meta platforms.

Building off the companies' original, 2017 agreement, the deal extends Meta's first-of-its-kind licensing of UMG music beyond Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads to include WhatsApp. Users of the latter service will be able to share music by their favorite artists directly with friends.

The pact will also address the rise of unauthorized AI-generated content, which has an impact on the ability of rightsholders to be fairly compensated.

"We are thrilled to announce our renewal with Universal Music Group and Universal Music Publishing Group, both of which are innovators on social media, especially with regard to Meta’s family of apps," said Meta VP Music and Content Business Development Tamara Hrivnak. "This partnership builds on the recognition that music can help connect us and bring fans, artists and songwriters closer together, not only on established platforms such as Instagram and Facebook but also in new ways on WhatsApp and more."

Added UMG Chief Digital Officer and EVP Michael Nash, "Meta has consistently demonstrated its commitment to artists and songwriters by helping amplify the importance music holds across its global network of engaged communities and platforms, creating new opportunities and applications where music amplifies and leads engagement and conversations. We are delighted that Meta shares our artist-centric vision for respecting human creativity and compensating artists and songwriters fairly. We look forward to continuing to work together to address unauthorized AI-generated content so UMG can continue to protect creators' rights.”

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