This post will go over what generally happens when you stream copyrighted music on Facebook and what you can do about it.
How Does DMCA Work on Facebook Gaming?
Facebook has the right to take down any VODs, Clips, or other material that plays copyrighted music. This is to ensure that the law is being followed and the platform won’t come under scrutiny as well.
While your content may usually just get muted, Facebook Gaming can hand you a strike for content and potentially ban your stream. To ensure that you avoid a Facebook Gaming strike, users are not allowed to play copyrighted music on stream.
Facebook Gaming DMCA Changes in 2020
In September 2020, Facebook Gaming announced that it would allow partners to stream Copyrighted content on the platform. This means that if you become a Facebook Gaming Partner, you can start playing some Copyrighted music. Some music will still be restricted, and the platform will alert you to those changes.
Facebook streamers not partnered with the platform will still need to refrain from playing or strictly playing royalty-free music.
Facebook Gaming DMCA Free Music
If you want to find more unique soundtracks to avoid a DMCA strike, you will need to play royalty-free music for Facebook Gaming. There are a few places online where you can compile this music.
One of the best platforms for DMCA-free music is Epidemic Sound. They have over 30,000 songs in many different genres, guaranteeing that you can find background music that relates to you and your audience.
Epidemic owns the rights to all its tracks and works with artists and composers to add new music to its database on a weekly basis. They don’t ever go after creators with copyright strikes and only make claims if the content was released at a time when there isn’t an active account. They never go after content that was created during an active subscription. Best of all, they let you try out their product for 30 days with their free test trial.
Their affordable personal plan will allow you to use their music on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch. They also provide sound alerts that you can use to add special features throughout your broadcast.
Facebook Sound Collection
Facebook has made it easier for gaming creators to add background music to their streams. They introduced the Facebook Sound Collection, a list of royalty-free songs for streamers to use. This way, gaming streams on the platform will not have to outsource background music.
Do keep in mind that this sound collection is limited. You may still find restricted tracks but don’t worry; you have a ton of other options in Facebook’s song library. This sound collection was made possible by music industry giants like Sony Music Entertainment and the Universal, Warner, and Kobalt Music Groups.
Facebook Gaming DMCA Strike
If you receive a DMCA strike because you played copyrighted music without permission on your stream, immediately remove any content you can find where the infringement was made. This will ensure that you will not gain any additional strikes.
In the event that you receive a DMCA strike on royalty-free music or something you have permission to use, you can appeal to Facebook to try to reverse the strike. You will need to show proof of how you were not breaking any regulations.
Regardless of the reason behind your strike, take care to keep your channel safe by playing only acceptable music on Facebook in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Play Copyrighted Music on Facebook?
It is against Facebook TOS to play copyrighted music on the platform unless you are a partnered streamer. It is illegal to share or distribute music without permission. Purchasing a song on iTunes or leasing it through Spotify doesn’t give you ownership of the song’s rights. As bots scan content, they pick up on music and will mute a VOD or issue a DMCA strike against you. Play safe and only play licensed music.
Can I Play YouTube Music on Facebook Gaming?
If you have permission from the copyright holder to play a song on YouTube, then you are free to do so. There is some royalty-free music on the platform available, but it must be specified. Both the music from record labels and original content on YouTube belongs to the creator or record label. You cannot use it without permission.
Are You Allowed to Play Spotify on Facebook Gaming?
A Spotify subscription doesn’t give you the rights to rebroadcast the music to your Facebook Gaming audience. Unless you own the rights to the music, get permission from the person who does it, or only make playlists of royalty-free music, you cannot use Spotify on Facebook Gaming without the risk of a strike and potential ban.
Conclusion
The DMCA helps protect the music rights of artists and music labels. And as fellow creators, gaming streamers should respect this. It’s understandable that music makes for a great background element on your streams, but to avoid future interruptions, it’s best to use royalty-free music.
Luci
Luci is a novelist, freelance writer, and active blogger. A journalist at heart, she loves nothing more than interviewing the outliers of the gaming community who are blazing a trail with entertaining original content. When she’s not penning an article, coffee in hand, she can be found gearing her shieldmaiden or playing with her son at the beach.