TikTok will restore millions of songs to the platform after settling a dispute with Universal Music Group over royalties.
It means users will once again be able to make videos featuring songs from artists including Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.
A row over how much TikTok was paying saw the two companies trade accusations – and Universal withdraw some of the world’s most famous singers.
But the rift now appears to have been healed with the firms announcing “improved remuneration” for artists, though they have not revealed how much money will change hands.
The firms said they were “working expeditiously” to return Universal’s music to TikTok, but didn’t give a timeframe on how long it would take.
Taylor Swift, perhaps the label’s biggest artist, had already separately agreed to return her music to TikTok – a deal she could make as she owns the copyright to her songs
“We look forward to collaborating with the team at TikTok to further the interests of our artists and songwriters and drive innovation in fan engagement while advancing social music monetization”, said Universal’s boss, Sir Lucian Grainge.
“Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group,” said TikTok head Shou Zi Chew.
It comes as the social media platform is facing a fight for its very survival in the United States, where it plans to challenge in court a law that could result in it being sold or banned in the country.
More money, less AI
Two of the biggest stars returning to the platform are Drake and The Weeknd, who found themselves in the middle of a row over artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023.
A song that used the tech to clone their voices went viral on TikTok, picking up 15 million views before it was removed.
At the time, Universal Music Group said it violated copyright law.
The deal that will see the two acts return will also build in what the companies are calling “industry-leading protections” around artificial intelligence (AI) on TikTok.
TikTok and Universal said in a statement that they would work together to “protect human artistry” in the face of the tech.
“TikTok is also committed to working with [Universal] to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform, as well as tools to improve artist and songwriter attribution,” they said.
“We will work together to make sure that AI tools are developed responsibly to enable a new era of musical creativity and fan engagement while protecting human creativity,” said TikTok head of music business development Ole Obermann.
Previously, artists including Eilish and Nicki Minaj have called on tech firms to agree not to develop tools that can generate music using AI.
It remains to be seen whether the commitments the two firms have made will fully address those concerns.