As COVID-19 continues to be an issue, several musicians have adjusted to the changes and made shifts to online shows through several platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. But recently, there was a misunderstanding with the Facebook Term Of Services (TOS) that made several DJs, in particular, fear for their live-streams.
On October 1, Facebook is introducing a rule that is more limiting to artists and their live-streams. The “new rule” states that users cannot publish content that “infringes or violates someone else’s intellectual property rights. We can remove or restrict access to your content, services, or information if we determine that doing so is reasonably necessary to avoid or mitigate adverse legal or regulatory impacts to Facebook.”
Facebook also blatantly stated that: “You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience … If you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”
The guidelines go on and state that not following these terms could lead to an enforced ban. Facebook guidelines state, “You may not use videos on our products to create a music listening experience. We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends.”
Due to the outrage and confusion, a Facebook spokesperson spoke with NME and clarified what the TOS could mean for artists.
“A spokesperson for Facebook has now confirmed to NME that, although new guidelines will come into effect across the site in October, the music guidelines have been in place for some time and will not affect artists using the site to livestream gigs or share their music... The music guidelines in Facebook’s Terms of Service have been in place since 2018 and we haven’t made any updates since,” they said. “They were written to balance our commitment to supporting musical expression on our platforms with also ensuring we uphold our agreements with rights holders, which remains unchanged.”
Facebook spokesperson to NME.
Hopefully, this news will settle down most worries people had over the TOS, especially in a time where most are doing live concerts to make ends meet.
