Facebook Strikes Licensing Deal With Universal Music Group

Using a track from Universal Music Group’s catalog on Facebook won’t be a copyright violation anymore, as the company struck a deal with Facebook to license its music for use on the platform.

The multi-year agreement between the two companies stipulates that music from UMG is now licensed to be used across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and of course Oculus. This means creators can now freely use any of the company’s recordings without the fear of repercussions. The agreement is global, so creators don’t have to worry about local licensing laws either.

Creators on Facebook can now freely use UMG’s music catalog without fear of repercussions

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You will have to agree that it’s certainly a very big step for a record company to take, it’s also very beneficial to Universal as well. By allowing its music on the world’s largest online community, Universal and its artists can expect many benefits; “enhancing the social experience of music for […] fans” is just one of these. And although nothing further has been announced yet, we know that this agreement is only the beginning. As Universal explains, it is designed to allow “new music-based experiences online” that will “enable a vast library of music across a series of social features.”

Series. Of. Social. Features. Hmm…

Is there something a lot bigger in the pipeline? That remains to be seen. For now, we’re happy that record companies are starting to realise the power that social media has, and how pivotal it is to their success. Commenting on the agreement, Michael Nash, Universal Music Group’s executive vice president of digital strategy said that, “together, Facebook and UMG are creating a dynamic new model for collaboration between music companies and social platforms to advance the interests of recording artists and songwriters,” and that “this partnership is an important first step demonstrating that innovation and fair compensation for music creators are mutually reinforcing – they thrive together.”

Music from UMG is now licensed to be used across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Oculus

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