Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs signed a multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration on September 10, 2026, to build a licensed AI music creation platform for fans. The deal marks ElevenLabs' first partnership with a major label and ties product development directly to artist participation and compensation.
The new platform, now in development, will let fans create remixes, mashups, new track interpretations, and personalized vocal experiences using music from participating artists and songwriters. It will launch as a separate offering from ElevenLabs' existing products, including its Music API and ElevenMusic app.
How the platform fits into ElevenLabs' product line
ElevenLabs already operates two distinct music products. The Music API provides studio-grade music models to developers, media companies, and social platforms. ElevenMusic is a consumer-facing app for generating and editing original songs with controls over vocals, instrumentation, style, and arrangement.
The UMG platform will be distinct from both. Details on the technical architecture remain limited, but the companies confirmed it will run on licensed music and require artist participation. This approach embeds rights management into the product from the start, rather than retrofitting it after launch.
Licensing as a product development constraint
For product teams, the structure of this deal offers a clear template. UMG and ElevenLabs are not simply licensing a catalog - they are co-developing products. The agreement covers both the fan-facing platform and additional tools for artists and songwriters that will roll out over the coming months and years.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said: "The most exciting possibilities for AI and music are those that put artists, songwriters, and fans at the center. UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community."
ElevenLabs cofounder and CEO Mati Staniszewski framed the deal around compensation mechanics: "By combining UMG's global community and rights management expertise, with our AI models and products, we'll enable artists and songwriters to create powerful new experiences for their fans, and ensure they are fairly compensated."
Why this matters for product development
This deal signals that major rights holders are willing to negotiate licensing terms before products ship, not after. Product managers building AI tools that touch copyrighted material should treat licensing as an early-stage design requirement, not a legal afterthought. The separation of the licensed UMG platform from ElevenLabs' existing unlicensed music tools also shows how product lines may need to fork when different rights frameworks apply. For teams working in AI for Product Development, the operational takeaway is clear: rights clearance and artist compensation are becoming product features, not just legal checkboxes.
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