Twitch has implemented a new YouTube-style system that will now scan videos for unauthorised third-party audio, whether it's in-game or ambient music. Any copyrighted music deemed as unauthorised will be automatically muted, in a partnership between Twitch and software company Audible Magic. In the Twitch announcement, it's stated that Audible Magic works alongside music companies "to scan past and future [videos-on-demand] for music owned or controlled by" its clients. Should a scan register a recorded video with music that infringes upon a copyright claim, Audible Magic's software mutes the video's audio for a 30-minute period in which the song appears. This will only apply to pre-record video on demand, and Twitch has assured that it won't scan live broadcasts or automatically remove content. However, this newly-introduced change is already having an impact on numerous saved Twitch videos. Twitch claims that it is "voluntarily undertaking this effort to help protect both our broadcasters and copyright owners." Twitch is offering several free music alternatives for videos, and should your content be flagged with a content ID warning, then you can take these steps: "If you believe that your video has been flagged improperly and that you have cleared the rights to all of the sound recordings in your uploaded video, then we will consider unmuting your video if you send us a counter-notification that is compliant with the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ('DMCA')." Twitch has also announced that it's removing the option to save past broadcasts forever, although under the new system, past broadcasts will be saved for longer. Twitch Turbo subscribers or partners can have videos saved for up to 60 days, but the 'save forever' option will be no more. 2-hour highlights can still be saved indefinitely. It was rumoured last month that Google had acquired Twitch for a reported $1 billion. Could this be the first in a line of planned changes following the possible acquisition? Source - X360A
