New Twitch copyright claim feature to increase DMCA strikes

Back in June 2020, Twitch streamers started receiving Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) strikes and suspensions as the streaming platform updated its Terms of Service. This escalated quickly and led to one of the biggest disasters on the platform, as Twitch promised to do better, and even added a feature where streamers can check how many DMCA strikes they have in March 2021. Now, Twitch has added a new feature, where anyone with an account can submit copyright claims.

New Twitch feature: DMCA strikes incoming?

Some users noticed a new Twitch page popping up recently, which allows any user with an account to file a copyright claim. The page is currently active, and you can check it out by heading to this link.

This new Twitch feature seems to be more targeted towards content creators who want to file claims against others. However, the likelihood of more DMCA strikes now that the feature has launched is very high.

The feature is meant to DMCA strike a Twitch streamer who steals another's music, clips, videos or emotes, with the possibility of even striking someone who reacts to someone else's content if outside the bounds of fair usage.

Users have several options to choose from which type of content is being infringed upon, namely:

• Video
• Image/Photo
• Artwork
• Music
• Other

(Picture: Twitch)

Twitch asks users to fill out their contact information when submitting a copyright claim, and agree that the claim is filed "in good faith".

The users must also be "authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed" and if they are not, they might be subjected to the penalty of perjury.

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While these strict rules might keep many users from trying to get someone a DMCA strike that doesn't deserve it, there is hardly any doubt DMCA strikes will increase thanks to this new Twitch feature.