The rules will affect creators of live-streaming music, ahead of some new terms and conditions coming into effect on October 1st.
And here we go again, the social media platform is going to make it harder for DJs to play music via Live-streaming due copyright infringement. The rules have been in place since 2018, then were updated on May 1st 2020 but are being reinforced starting next month, which means that thousands of DJs and content creators will have their work blocked if they break the rules.
There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.
Basically, they will ease their Music stories and live shows with performing artists with their own material but the more you stream the more limits they will put on you and most likely if you play other peoples music, you are going to get blocked.
And here is where it gets interesting:
“these guidelines are consistent across live and recorded video on both Facebook and Instagram, and for all types of accounts — i.e. pages, profiles, verified and unverified accounts.”
The confusion was that Facebook did not clarify completely on what the “music experience” was supposed to be about. They stated that “there should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.” So basically Facebook is recommending artists on how to create and how they think everyone should make music or an experience, focused on family and friends.
This really suck not just because of the situation of the world and the ongoing pandemic, where Livestreams over facebook became so popular and a way to escape isolation and / or help others that are suffering at the moment, but because it may create a domino effect to other Live-streaming platforms that will have to follow same guidelines, most likely issued by the US.
With most music venues and DIY spaces closed in most places in the world, no one is sure on how the crackdown will take place, how the rules will be enforced and what the future of Live-streaming is going to be. Certainly Facebook will drive away tons of users, but you know what? Maybe this is a positive thing and it will give the opportunity to many other new Live-stream platforms with more open minded guidelines and rules to thrive.
Here is a bit of a resume of what we were talking about:
- The more full-length recorded tracks in a video you use (that aren’t yours), the more likely you’ll be blocked.
- Music in stories and traditional live music performances (e.g., filming an artist or band performing live) are permitted.
- There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.
- Shorter clips of music are recommended.
No one knows really what the future of music and Live-streaming is going to be, but what is for sure, that Facebook will not be part of it. Maybe it is better that way.
Here is the full Facebook Music Guidelines, read it well:
