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Why TikTok’s Decision to Sideline Merlin Hurts Music Culture (Guest Column)
A2IM president and CEO Richard James Burgess on why TikTok's decision to boycott Merlin regarding licensing hurts independent music culture.
The platform's refusal to work with Merlin on licensing deals sets a "dangerous precedent" for independent artists and their labels, writes A2IM's Richard James Burgess. While TikTok frames this shift as a way to tackle streaming fraud, it’s clear that the real motive is to weaken the bargaining power of independent labels and use that leverage to suppress rates. Dr. Richard James Burgess is an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, author, manager, marketer and inventor, who presently serves as the president and CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).
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