UMG–ElevenLabs deal leaves splits unconfirmed
UMG calls the ElevenLabs tie-up licensing plus product development; Kobalt and Merlin have stated a 50/50 split for ElevenMusic (checked 11 Sep 2026).
Universal Music Group announced a licensing and product development agreement with ElevenLabs in a public statement dated 11 Sep 2026 (Universal Music Group statement, 11 Sep 2026) (checked 11 Sep 2026). The announcement says the partners will build "AI audio products for artists and songwriters" and a separate AI‑powered music creation platform enabling "remixes and mashups, new track interpretations, and personalised vocal experiences."
Recording and publishing splits for the UMG–ElevenLabs platform were not published in UMG's statement and remain unconfirmed (checked 11 Sep 2026).
Kobalt and Merlin have previously published wording committing to equal shares between labels and publishers for ElevenLabs’ ElevenMusic: Kobalt's press release and Merlin's public statement both state a 50/50 split (checked 11 Sep 2026). Those published commitments apply to ElevenMusic; the UMG–ElevenLabs platform's splits have not been disclosed (checked 11 Sep 2026).
The immediate takeaway for freelancers: existing public commitments (Kobalt/Merlin) specify a 50/50 recording/publishing split for ElevenMusic, but UMG has not published the splits it will apply to the new UMG–ElevenLabs product (checked 11 Sep 2026).
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