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HOW TO PLAY MUSIC ON TWITCH
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If you love watching gamers in real time, Twitch will be a go-to platform for you. Gaming streamers post live and recorded content on their channels 24/7. For creators in this niche, it’s a must-master website.
But since Twitch launched in 2011, there have been many changes to its content rules, including the use of music. Failing to comply could mean your videos get taken down and your account suspended.
Here’s how to use gaming background music without infringing Twitch’s music licensing rules.
History of music on Twitch
Twitch started life as Justin.tv. Built off the trend for reality television, this website was launched in 2007 to livestream the life of its founder Justin Kan. As creators launched their own streaming setups, they added their own channels to the website. This eventually created a platform full of live and recorded user-generated content.
One of the platform's most popular video categories was gaming. Players broadcasted their screens as they worked through different levels and challenges. Eventually, this category’s popularity outgrew all the others, leading to the creation of an offshoot platform, Twitch, in 2011.
Now a subsidiary of Amazon, the platform attracts more than eight million streamers per month. This growth has transformed Twitch into a revenue source for large streamers.
It has also meant tighter restrictions to protect copyright holders’ work. In particular, the use of music tracks over live or recorded videos is now more tightly controlled.
So to avoid being penalized by the platform, you should be careful about the background music you use.
What music can you play on Twitch?
When Twitch first launched, you could use your favorite tunes or the latest viral hits. Now, you’ll need to check the copyright terms of any tracks on your live or recorded content.
Twitch has adopted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Guidelines. Under these guidelines, you can only use music that:
- You own the rights to: or, more specifically, original music you write and perform yourself.
- You have licensed the rights to.
- You can hire or buy the license to music tracks for your own use.
It’s important to check that any license covers live-streaming content as this is often an exemption. Specifically, you can’t use the following types of audio unless you own or have licensed the rights to the tracks being performed:
- Recorded live broadcasts e.g. on the radio or at concerts
- DJ sets or mixes
- Karaoke or lip-syncing performances
- Cover songs
Any visuals of copyrighted tracks also fall under DMCA restrictions. So you can’t post any lyrics from these tunes unless you own or have licensed the rights to them.
Can you play copyrighted music on Twitch?
You can only play copyrighted music on Twitch if you own or have licensed the rights to it.
You can buy a license to claims-free or royalty-free music tracks and use them as background to your recorded Twitch video. This is because you’re paying a fee to the track’s rights holder in exchange for using their tune on your content.
Can you play music while streaming on Twitch?
If you own or have licensed the rights to a music track, you should be able to play it on Twitch.
But always check the terms of the license to ensure it covers live broadcast content. Otherwise, you could be breaching the copyright conditions of the track unintentionally.
Twitch’s penalties for music misuse
Under Twitch’s rules, rights holders can notify the platform if they suspect unlicensed music use.
You’ll be alerted when this notification is sent through. You can then review the details and submit a counter-notification to dmca-notifications@twitch.tv. You can also get in touch with the rights holder or their agent directly to ask for a retraction.
Any content that plays unlicensed music will be muted or taken down from the platform.
If you’re found to be in breach of copyright rules, a strike may be added to your account. Your access to Twitch will be terminated if you receive three strikes.
To have a strike removed, you can take Twitch’s Copyright School course once every 12 months. Completing this training is also recommended to help all creators understand the terms of music usage on Twitch.
Staying ahead of Twitch's music rules
Navigating Twitch’s music rules might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think. Staying informed of the guidelines helps you avoid any hiccups and keep your audience engaged.
Keep your streams worry-free with our catalog of over 50,000 fresh new tracks.
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