Soundtrack by Twitch is the name, and copyright-free music streaming is the game. At least in theory.
The new feature, unveiled on September 30, is a free-to-download beta version that aims to provide an in-service streaming platform for Twitch streamers to access royalty-free music. Some streamers and competitors have delved into the FAQ page and found details about the new feature’s shortcomings. What the Twitch team hoped would be a clear call to action for game-changing pieces appears to be more of a glancing blow.
“At first, almost everyone I know celebrated until they dug deeper into the terms and conditions,” said Twitch streamer and musician Ceddy Ang. “They found out that playing music through Soundtrack doesn’t exempt us from [being subject to copyright enforcement] and that’s when most of my friends were like, ‘meh.’”
Ang was one of many streamers excited about the latest feature, but the fine print on the FAQ page accompanying the announcement shed light on some of the missteps of Twitch's latest moves.