CMRRA inks licensing deal with TikTok covering mechanical rights in Canada

By Emmanuel Legrand

The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) has signed a licensing agreement with short-form video platform TikTok for the collection of digital mechanical royalties in Canada. CMRRA said the deal will deliver "a new revenue stream for music publishers and self-published songwriters."

  The deal covers TikTok’s past use of musical works and sets up a "forward-looking" partnership. "The agreement is designed to enrich users’ experience and the creators of the music made available by the platform by helping them get their music seen on a canvas with unlimited avenues for expression," said the companies in a statement.

  “TikTok’s integration of music with video has created a new opportunity for music creators to engage users from around the world," said CMRRA President Paul Shaver. "Not only has the platform fueled new song discovery but it has given classic songs new life. The activity has swelled outside the platform, directly impacting increased consumption across all media.

Supporting new tech platforms

  Shave said CMRRA will continue "to support new technology platforms that seek to properly license music, ensuring rights holders are compensated.”

  Added Jordan Lowy, Head of Music Publishing Licensing and Partnerships at TikTok: "We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with CMRRA in Canada, to connect music publishers and artists to new audiences and enable song discovery through the power of TikTok. Given the ever-changing music industry, we’re committed to working together to create new revenue opportunities and offer an innovative way to reach fans."