The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has notified its members about the upcoming expiration of its license with TikTok on April 30. The decision not to renew, extend, or form a new license with the platform could result in further music removals from TikTok in May.
Concerns over TikTok’s licensing practices prompted the NMPA to advise its members to negotiate directly with TikTok for a new license or explore legal enforcement options. Notably, the NMPA’s license with TikTok is optional for its members, offering an alternative to direct negotiations. David Israelite, CEO of NMPA, emphasised music’s importance to TikTok’s business model.
The NMPA is known for its assertive approach to licensing negotiations across digital platforms. Legal battles with platforms like X, Twitch, Roblox, and Pandora underscore the NMPA’s commitment to protecting member rights.
Members receiving the alert are urged to assess their options and seek legal counsel if necessary. The NMPA pledged to provide updates should circumstances change before the license expiration.
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