ByteDance, the Company Behind TikTok, Launched Music Licensing Platform EasyOde

Since last year, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has been under constant pressure due to the U.S. government’s decision to ban the app unless it is sold into U.S. hands. As potential buyers emerge and ByteDance weighs its options, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. market remains unknown.

Yet, despite its ongoing struggles, ByteDance continues to develop new products and invest in its business operations. Among its recent investments appears to be its new music licensing platform, EasyOde, described as “the one-stop rights-cleared music platform owned by BytePlus,” which provides “high-quality tracks and sound effects for use in new and traditional media projects, as well as other music-related services.”

Music licensing platforms are online services that connect music creators (artists, composers, producers) with businesses, filmmakers, content creators, and advertisers who need legally licensed music for their projects. These platforms streamline the process of obtaining rights to use music in films, commercials, YouTube videos, TV shows, video games, and other media.

While information about the platform is generally scarce, one of its website pages states that it contains 60,000 rights-cleared music pieces, including trending background music in popular short video apps and tracks created by producers, among other things.

With TikTok's massive influence on the music industry and its large market share in the online music space, EasyOde could have a significant impact on how music is licensed and used across platforms. This move could shake up traditional music licensing models and offer new opportunities for creators and businesses alike.

Additionally, research by Music Business Worldwide, which first reported on the licensing platform, suggests that EasyOde may be linked to ByteDance’s AI-related efforts. Last year, the news outlet uncovered that the company has filed for several AI-related patents and trademarks in the U.S., highlighting its increasing focus on artificial intelligence.

These efforts include tools for generating music tailored to video content and lyrics, as well as the development of its machine-learning-driven app, Mawf, showing ByteDance’s dedication to expanding its influence in both the music and AI industries. However, when it comes to EasyOde, there are no clear signs that the music on EasyOde is AI-generated.