Taylor Swift receives a "red carpet" invitation from China, causing a stir in the billion-person market.

Universal Music Group has officially signed a multi-year licensing agreement with NetEase Cloud Music , bringing the music library of Taylor Swift and a host of international stars closer to Chinese audiences and underscoring its commitment to the responsible application of AI in digital music distribution.

Universal Music Group (UMG) – a leading American music corporation and home to numerous international stars such as Taylor Swift – recently announced a multi-year licensing agreement with the Chinese online music streaming platform NetEase Cloud Music. The agreement was confirmed by both parties on January 19th, Washington time, marking a significant step in UMG's strategy to expand its market share in Asia, particularly in the promising Chinese market.

According to the agreement, the entire catalog of artists and records released by UMG's affiliated labels will be legally distributed on the NetEase Cloud Music ecosystem. This means that users in China can easily access the hit music of Taylor Swift and many other international artists under UMG with just a few taps on the app.

This is seen as a major boost for both sides. For UMG, bringing its massive music library to one of China's largest music streaming platforms helps the corporation expand its reach, increase licensing revenue, and connect more deeply with the young listening community.

A notable aspect of this agreement is the provisions related to artificial intelligence (AI). Representatives from both companies stated that the collaboration reflects "a shared commitment to practicing responsible AI, aiming to support and protect music and the rights of the artists represented by UMG." This demonstrates that UMG and NetEase are not only focused on content creation but also on applying new technologies in a sustainable manner, respecting copyright and creative value.

In the context of AI increasingly interfering with the creation, production, and distribution of music, the move by two major players to jointly establish common principles regarding AI is considered necessary by experts. It helps to limit the risk of technology abuse, protect the legitimate rights of artists, and create a healthy environment for the development of the digital music industry.

In fact, UMG and NetEase Cloud Music are no strangers to each other. The two sides previously signed a similar agreement in 2020. This renewal and expansion of the partnership demonstrates the continuing strengthening of the strategic relationship between the two corporations.

Although the specific financial terms were not disclosed, observers believe this is a highly beneficial deal for both sides. With NetEase Cloud Music's massive user base, UMG gains an effective distribution channel for its international content library.

Timothy Xu, CEO of Universal Music Greater China, shared in a press release: "We are delighted to expand our partnership with NetEase Cloud Music, further introducing UMG's world-class artist portfolio and music library to music fans in China." This statement shows that UMG places high expectations on the billion-person market and views it as a cornerstone of the group's global strategy.

With Taylor Swift's global appeal and a host of other major artists under UMG, the renewal of the agreement is expected to provide further impetus to the Chinese digital music market.

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