Navigating Copyrights and Emerging Features on TikTok
Recently, users have reported issues with using songs on TikTok that required obtaining copyright permissions. However, the platform has introduced new features to address these concerns. Now, users can split songs into three parts, which allows them to play without issue.
TikTok's Aspirations for Global Music Service
TikTok, owned by Byte Dance, is gearing up to introduce a music service internationally. The company has filed for trademark applications in various countries, which could signal a significant expansion into the music streaming market. Byte Dance has registered the 'TikTok Music' trademark in countries like the United Kingdom, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, and Costa Rica, among others.
Trademark Capabilities and Functionality
According to trademark applications, TikTok Music will offer a user-friendly interface for various features, including listening to music, creating playlists, commenting on songs, and participating in karaoke. The functionality covers a broad range of activities, such as purchasing, playing, sharing, downloading, making suggestions, sharing playlists, lyrics, and quotes. Users will also be able to capture, edit, and upload images as cover photos for playlists and comment on music, songs, and albums.
Expansion in Existing Markets
In countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, Byte Dance already operates a music streaming service under the name 'Resso.' A former Byte Dance employee disclosed that the company had initially planned to expand Resso into new regions under the name 'TikTok Music.' The company had particularly focused on launching in developed countries such as the UK and Australia.
Impact of TikTok on the Music Industry
TikTok's influence on the music industry cannot be overstated. Hits have been driven by viral videos on the platform, leading to several songs making it to the Billboard 100 chart. Research indicates that songs with high TikTok popularity generate more views on YouTube and streams on other music streaming services, such as Spotify.
In 2021, reports suggest that TikTok paid out $179 million to owners of recorded music rights. Byte Dance's aspirations for a full-fledged music service and a distribution platform called Sound On aim to capture this immense traffic and streaming revenue for themselves. The company introduced a pre-release tool last week to help artists “leak” their songs to the TikTok audience before official release.
Challenges and Competitive Landscape
With the introduction of TikTok Music, Byte Dance would have a robust music solution that could help musicians publish their songs, promote them on TikTok, and encourage listeners to complete songs on TikTok Music or Resso. The launch presents a significant challenge to major music streaming giants like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Pandora, which currently dominate the market.
Conclusion
The introduction of TikTok Music represents a major development in the music streaming market. While challenges and competition are inevitable, Byte Dance's commitment to expanding its reach and functionality indicates a strong push to capture a significant portion of the music industry. For creators and users alike, the future looks promising with the potential for new opportunities and experiences.