It’s true: MBW has confirmed it Tik Tok Recently canceled with Merlinalthough the independent group’s current agreement with ByteDance Platform is set to expire on October 31.
There was no blanket deal with Merlin; Tik Tok Instead, invite individuals Merlin Members negotiate direct licensing agreements with their teams.
Merlin claims that its members represent 15% Market share of global recorded music consumption. Then why? Tik Tok Leave the negotiating table?
The reason is a bit shocking: As the conversation about streaming scams grows in the industry, Tik Tok Questions have been raised about the legality of music provided by some to its platform Merlin member.
It is important to clarify three things at this point:
- Merlin’s Member span Tens of thousands of labels and distributors Found in nearly every major region of the world;
- Sources said these illegal actions Merlin Concerned members Tik Tok Mainly involving the deliberate uploading of manipulated (read: sped up and slowed down) versions of copyrighted audio (a trend MBW investigated earlier this year).
- It is understood that a large number of such activities are caused by Tik Tok in Merlin Members come from three global regions: Eastern Europe, Latin Americaand Southeast Asia.
one Tik Tok A spokesperson told MBW tonight that the platform was “experienced operational challenges” Merlin In the past, music delivered was not subject to copyright quality control [to TikTok].
“This brings a lot of burden, and a direct transaction would give us better control and a closer relationship with Merlin members.
“Tik Tok Must be able to control the quality of content uploaded to their platform and ensure that all delivered content is legal.
“We believe we will have better control over the catalog of uploaded music Merlin If we were doing a direct deal, rather than doing one big overall deal, then we would be an affiliate.
“In the past, we have had issues with fraudulent behavior on some of the music generated through the Total Transaction.”
When talking to MBW, Ole Olbermann, Global Head of Music Development and Intellectual Property Tik Tokcommented: “This is related to Merlin. Through direct transactions, if we discover any type of content copyright issues, we can resolve them directly. It’s that simple.
Merlin told its members in a letter last week Tik Tok “Refuse to negotiate” new licensing agreement before expiration TikTok/Merlin’s The current trading date is October 31st.
Merlin claim Tik Tok “Walked away before negotiations began” and “without any warning.”
In a letter sent to Merlin members, seen by MBW, the group flagged TikTok’s “concerns” about streamingFraud” as the reason for its decision to void the transaction.
Merlin TikTok said in the letter that it was “very proactive on this issue” and had “recognized the growth and impact of streaming manipulative and deceptive content early on and communicated with TikTok.” Tik Tok and the market as a whole.
Streaming fraud continues to be a big problem for the music industry. This practice could siphon money away from the streaming business that would otherwise be paid to legitimate artists and copyright holders.
In the first quarter of 2024, Spotify launched a financial penalty policy Label and dealer Each track should be “flagrant artificial streaming media” was detected in its content, the company said it would serve as “deterrence“Against artificial streaming media.
Law enforcement agencies around the world are also starting to take streaming scams very seriously.
Just last month, the U.S. government charged an individual with three felonies for allegedly US$10 million “It plans to use artificial intelligence to create hundreds of thousands of songs and use automated programs called ‘bots’ to transmit the artificial intelligence-generated songs billions of times.”
In March, a man Denmark Sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of data fraud and copyright infringement. The man allegedly used bots to artificially increase the streaming numbers of 689 tracks he uploaded to the streaming platform.
“We have measures in place to address illegal activity and content; automated systems to detect suspicious activity; and a dedicated team to resolve issues and impose sanctions, including ultimately terminating the membership of bad actors.
Merlin
Merlinin a letter sent to its members last week about its collapse. Tik Tok During the meeting, it said it had “productive cooperation with TikTok” on the issue of streaming fraud, adding that “so far, no one has expressed concerns about the approach taken by Merlin.”
The letter added: “We have measures in place to address illegal activity and content; automated systems to detect suspicious activity; and a dedicated team to resolve issues and impose sanctions, including ultimately terminating the membership of bad actors.
Douyin The spokesperson added today, “TikTok has the utmost respect for the independent music community and artists and is committed to making all the world’s music available on the platform.”
They added: “We are confident that through direct cooperation [with Merlin members] We will be able to avoid chaos.
“Record labels wishing to continue making music available on TikTok after October 31 only have until October 25, 2024 to review and sign the TikTok and CapCut Agreement.
“This means that content will not be removed, nor will any need to be re-served, and the catalog will remain on the platform from November 1, 2024.”global music business
