Universal Music Accuses TikTok of Bullying, Intimidation in Licensing Negotiations

The logo of TikTok on a smartphone in Mulhouse, eastern France, on Oct. 30, 2023. Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images

Universal Music Group (UMG) has issued a scathing open letter to Chinese-owned TikTok and warned it will cease licensing its content to the video-streaming platform after failing to renew its joint agreement with the app.

The open letter, titled “Why We Must Call Time Out on TikTok,” was published on Jan. 30.