Universal Music Group just became the first major music label to license its recorded music and videos on Facebook. The global, multiyear deal will enable users…
Universal Music Group just became the first major music label to license its recorded music and videos on Facebook.
The global, multiyear deal will enable users of Facebook, as well as its Instagram app and Oculus virtual reality platform, to upload videos that contain licensed music. They’ll also be able to personalize their music experiences while sharing videos.
The move helps to alleviate annoyances for Facebook users who post music to which the site doesn’t have the rights. In those cases, under current law, rights holders such as UMG must ask Facebook to take down videos with infringing material.
In the fall, Facebook had been rumored to be offering major record labels big bucks — hundreds of millions — so users could legally upload videos.
UMG CEO Lucian Grainge told staffers in a Thursday memo that the company is “developing new and increasingly progressive business models” and “ spurring competition among both established tech players and startups alike.”
This year, UMG inked a similar deal with Spotify, and earlier this week, extended its licensing deal with YouTube to give UMG greater control over its music, as well as compensation for its artists .
Warner Music and Sony also extended deals with YouTube, and according to insiders, they will likely sign deals with Facebook following Thursday’s UMG news.
“There is a magnetic relationship between music and community building,” said Tamara Hrivnak, head of music business development and partnerships at Facebook.
“Music lovers, artists and writers will all be right at home as we open up creativity, connection and innovation through music and video.”
