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Facebook is chasing record labels for music licensing deals

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We are well aware of the importance of the video content for Facebook, and how the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is trying to adopt the strategy for its future growth. Now, to further strengthen its video strategy, Facebook is chasing record labels for music licensing deals.

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According to Bloomberg report, Facebook executives recently attended a pre-Grammy Awards performance to patrol emerging talents. The company is also "meeting with music publishers, negotiators at labels, and trade associations to strengthen its ties with the industry."

The report also says Facebook has “doubled down on its efforts to secure music licensing deals from music publishers”. David Israelite, president of the National Music Publishers Association, said, "We’re hopeful that they are moving towards licensing music for the entire site."

However, Facebook will not bring music videos on its platform or into the user’s news feed. Instead, the company is looking to enable users to include music clippings into their video creations, like YouTube. The music is expected to be provided for free to everyone, who can use them without fears of copyright issues. While uploading the video, users can use any music as background from a library of songs.

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Quoting Israelite, the report said that Facebook is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the same law that can shield YouTube from responsibility for pirated material. “Facebook is a very valuable company, making a lot of money, and in part because of the music on the site. We are looking forward to being business partners with Facebook. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll see the situation turn very quickly.”

Since 2015, Facebook is reportedly trying to make a deal with record labels. Facebook has also built an anti-piracy tool to prevent "licensed content from freely being shared on Facebook."

Reportedly Facebook has already taken small steps in creating deals with record labels. In 2016, the company licensed music from Warner Music Group for its Slideshow mini-movie maker in Australia. Then again in January, Facebook hired former record executive — and director of music partnerships at YouTube and Google Play — Tamara Hrivnak to lead its global music strategy.

Facebook is yet to comment on the latest report.

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