Twitch’s lack of music licences has long been a sore point with rightsholders. However, it seems we could be nearing an announcement on that front.
“Pretty soon we’re going to be out talking about… I think we’re close, where we’re going to have a structure so that in the end we are going to have to share money with the labels. It doesn’t come for free,” said Twitch CEO Dan Clancy in an interview with Twitch channel TweakMusicTips.
“I’ve already told a number of DJs this and they realise… of course they would rather not have to share some money, but we’re gonna kinda split whatever the cost is. We’re going to take a portion of it – pay a portion of it – and then the streamer will need to contribute a portion in terms of the revenue.”
So, this seemingly relates to DJs streaming their sets on Twitch when they’re playing music that they don’t own the full rights to. However, the interview also touched on another way music is used on Twitch: when it’s played in the background of channels (for example gaming streamers).
“It’s not allowed. Luckily, the labels have… because we in general have a deal, they’re not going after people for this. But we do pay money so that the labels are not going after [people] and we have an agreement whereas opposed to going through a DMCA [takedown notification process], if they feel someone is abusing things, they come and tell us, and then we tell the streamer to stop playing music,” said Clancy.
“As opposed to having to use the DMCA, because when you use the DMCA, then once you have three [copyright] strikes there’s nothing we can do. We can’t let you back on: it’s just the way the law is written. So we have a contractual agreement.”
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