Twitch seals new deal with NMPA regarding DMCA strikes

Twitch has sent emails to all of its creators informing them of a new deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA). The deal aims to build productive partnerships between Twitch and music publishers and avoid the copyright strikes that have plagued many creators.

Twitch has confirmed that the deal with the NMPA has been made.

Unfortunately, not much changes.

You still cannot use music that you don't have the rights to… It's just a change in procedure. #TwitchNews pic.twitter.com/9HJhRQJDHI

— Zach Bussey (@zachbussey) September 21, 2021

Twitch’s new deal with the NMPA

The deal that Twitch has sealed with the NMPA does not allow creators to stream licensed music, which is what creators were originally asking for. This new deal allows Twitch to implement a separate process in order to judge copyright strikes. If a creator has rights to a piece of music, they can now appeal to Twitch’s own judging body in order to appeal the copyright strike. Unlike DMCA which would immediately send out an automated strike, Twitch will give creators a chance to course-correct by first issuing a warning. The appeal process will take into account a creator’s previous history with using copyrighted music. The more strikes a person has, the more likely that Twitch will strike the creator for breaking copyright laws.

“If a live stream involves one of several specified flagrant music uses (examples include rebroadcasting music concerts and broadcasting pre-release tracks), Twitch may also issue a warning or penalty depending on the creator’s history of that kind of music use,” said Twitch in the email sent out to creators.

While this deal is a step forward in the right direction, nothing really changes for creators that do not have the rights to media they show on stream. Creators will not be able to play licensed music in their streams/VODs. As of right now, this deal will serve as a band aid to a very large wound in Twitch’s system. However, this shows that Twitch is also willing to improve their copyright systems and take it upon themselves to evaluate independent cases.