Playing Music on Twitch: What Are The Rules?
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Music has become a grey area on Twitch. Are you allowed to play any music like everyone seems to do? And if not, what music is legally allowed to be played on Twitch?
We’ve all heard of the people who have had their stream taken down because of a DMCA copyright claim by a record label or musician, but surely that won’t happen to us too?
Is it allowed?
Simply put, you are not allowed to play any music on your stream. You will need permission from the copyright owner and a license to do so. This is because Twitch is deemed a ‘public place’ and legally in most countries across the world you need a license to be able to play music to an audience (for example a cafe, retail shop or venue).
Uploading any content that you do not own, do not have the rights to, or are otherwise not authorized to use, violates our Terms of Service and may make your account liable to DMCA takedowns by third-party rights holders. — Twitch
What happens if I play music?
While most people will see their videos-on-demand (VODs) muted for future viewers, most streamers get away with streaming music live without any bans. However, as Twitch grows, some streamers have had 24-hour bans for playing copyrighted music and I expect this to continue as musicians and labels see their music being played without permission or licenses.
Oh, and people, it’s only a matter of time until Twitch creates an algorithm similar to YouTube’s where they can tell this stuff automatically and in live-real time.
What are you allowed to play?
Twitch is working to create a huge library of music that streamers will be able to play while they stream, this is supported by labels such as Monstercat, Fool’s Gold, Mad Decent and Rhymesayers. The library can be found at music.twitch.tv:
The music can also be found in a big group of Spotify playlists that have been cleared to use for Twitch streamers:
Alongside this, here are a number of free copyright-free music platforms, but the best is easily Pretzel.Rocks by Nate ‘knaught’ Beck.
If you are looking to create your own music or sing your own songs on Twitch? As you own the permission for that music, you are totally allowed to do this with no problems at all!
Or why not ask some small producers, bands and singers whether they’d let you play their music in during your stream? Not only does this solve your audio problem, but its fantastic networking and yet another reason for viewers to join your stream!
How to find out what your viewers want to listen to?
Does it depend on what sort of stream you are creating? Is it a relaxed atmosphere where viewers are chilling out? Or is it a hectic Fortnite stream where you are extremely animated and loud?
Of course, you could ask them what they want to listen to? Create a poll on Twitter or in your Twitch chat of the music people like when to listen to when watching. This is why song requests (!songrequest) are such a popular feature across lots of Twitch streams (even though it’s a little bit illegal as we discussed earlier…)
But, what about Mixer?
So far, copyright music will not get you warned or banned on your Mixer VODs. It’s only a matter of time though as Mixer continues to grow!
Hopefully, this helps illuminate the tricky subject of music while streaming! Are there any copyright-free music or musicians you use while streaming? Let us know on Discord!
Who is The Emergence?
- Website — theemergence.co.uk
- Twitter — twitter.com/emergencegg
- Twitch — twitch.tv/theemergence
- Discord — discordapp.com/invite/VxFA7Xc
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