Why Mixcloud Doesn’t Offer On-Demand Video (VOD)
by Mixcloud
Hi there,
Since Mixcloud LIVE launched last year, we’ve had a regular question from users: why doesn’t Mixcloud offer VOD of live-streams? So far, we have done a poor job of explaining why we archive to audio over VODs. In fact, we’ve not really explained it at all. So here goes...
Short version:
Mixcloud does not offer VODs because there is no legal way to do so. Adding VODs would break our core principles — that we are building a safe and sustainable ecosystem for any music to be played. This is a safe and ethical alternative that ensures Creators don’t suffer takedowns and artists get paid.
Long version:
Everything Mixcloud offers is underpinned by a unique and comprehensive music copyright management system. This system gives you the freedom to play and share any music you like on Mixcloud, regardless of whether you own the copyright. It identifies, reports and pays royalties out on tens of millions of tracks, played by millions of Mixcloud creators, and owned by hundreds of thousands of different artists and songwriters.
Central to this system is a complex network of licenses from publishers, labels and other licensing organizations. These licenses are blanket (meaning they cover a whole repertoire of songs), bespoke, and have taken many years to negotiate.
Unfortunately, a blanket license for VOD does not exist.
When a song is played within a VOD, you need something called a synchronization license from whoever owns the publishing rights to that song. These licenses are not available in a blanket form. Instead, they are all negotiated on a case-by-case, song-by-song, and songwriter-by-songwriter basis. And to make matters worse, the ownership of song’s publishing rights is frequently split across many different people or organizations.
So it’s not feasible for us manually to negotiate a license for every song used in every archived live stream, this would run into the millions.
But how, you might ask, can Facebook and Amazon’s Twitch offer VODs? The answer is that Creators using these services for music face DMCA mutings, strikes, takedowns and profile deletions. Rather than catering for music creators, they specifically prohibit the use of copyrighted music in their terms and conditions, and— we believe— treat music creators as third-class users. We won’t allow the content takedown troubles that plague those platforms to ever exist on Mixcloud. Archiving live streams to on-demand audio is a safe, legal alternative.
We know that the complexities and limitations of music licensing are frustrating. We know that many of you want VODs. We know that some of you calculate the risks of using unlicensed platforms, and decide that the pros outweigh the cons. We pass no judgement on that.
But we are building a more sustainable and ethical alternative — something that’s built for music. And every day you use Mixcloud, you are helping us with that mission.
Thanks for listening,
Nico
Comments
Got U! Thanks again, Gang! 👊🏼✨
Hello. How can I contact anyone at MIXCLOUD ?
somehow strange that is not invented in this time of technology in a way.
but good explanation . which also explains why mixcloud takes a part of money which i have noticed many asks about. well , there it is . thank you mixcloud.
Nice
That makes perect sense, thank you for explaining. :)
Love Love Love! Following this closely. We are building local video on demand, and push list, content, for which we necessarily have to avoid copyright music. Your live platform gives us an out, but we still want to push forward to use copyright material at least within Spain, if not to a wider audience. Keep going, where you lead we avidly follow to try to enhance what will be our end product, hoping we can really feature you folks within this. Thank you.
Thank you for addressing this much asked question
It's a real shame but I fully understand. The aforementioned reasons are why I don't use twitch for this. Though it highlights a long running issue we have all been aware of for years and that is the current copyright system just does not work in today's Digital world; it's antiquated and in dire need of reform to better reflect the way in which people publish and consume digital media in current times.
Hopefully one day this happens, and Mixcloud can then offer music VODs, though when or if that ever does is still anybodies guess.
I can't listen to anything! Why?
I have to say that I did not know about a synchronisation license. With that in mind being able to keep your music online without a takedown is a feat within it self. I would like to say thank you for the explanation about VoD.andvthe reasons why it is just audio. Thank you!
So why does a live stream not require a synchronization license?
Its still music being released in a video format.
A livestream is not on-demand. You can't rewind or replay any songs. Its a one-time, live performance. Different requirements.
Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I was aware of the synchronization license, and . . . well . . . these laws do kinda suck for everyone except the copyright holder. I get it though, as the original content creator you want to be able to benefit from the fruits of your labor. It certainly would be nice if there were an easier way to license these things, and make sure artists get paid at the same time!! Thank you for providing the service that you do, and making a space for those of us in this creative profession to have an outlet!!
ok so that explains how it works much better and if tracks are paid on a case by case basis what you are basically saying is big tracks from big labels will get paid and everytime I drop one of my tracks on my tiny label i won't get anything for it and i have to pay £9 a month to live stream when i could just upload a mix since the video will just get taken down anyway. with the select you expect $50 a month before paying out and from that 60% goes to these elite labels you have licences with and the other 40% is then split between the mix creator and mixcloud. so the mix creator gets about 10% from each £2.99 and you need to earn at least $50 before you pay out. well look i been mixing all my life since the 1996 and i can already see this is a con and i thought I had a pretty big following on my social platforms then when i promote sites on facebook such as mixcloud it hides the post unless you pay facebook... haha welcome to the new digital lockdown everyone! pay to play ! even your hobbies lol.. how do i cancel this pro membership please....
Cheers Nico
Thankyou mixcloud, a good little insight into copyright law there
Them?
Sry understand.. Sry
That sounds well meaning, but I am not sure I understand. What is the difference between having just the audio or having the video plus audio? It's the audio that is the focus of the issue. Whether or not there are images on top seems irrelevant.
We greatly appreciate your communication with us
Thank you Mixcloud. I hope still share my work for all music lovers worldwide.
A fellow DJ had suggested that I include this Copyright Disclaimer with my Video Mix show. It prevents social media's from taking it down. I have used it. I hope it helps others. (Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyrighr Act 1976, Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as Criticism, comment, newsreporting, Teaching, schorship, education and research.)
This actually doesn’t work all the time unfortunately. I personally know many DJs that use it and they eventually get muted or live video deletion without even being told❤️🎶🎧
Great, informative post, thank you Mixcloud!
This is why Mixcloud is my platform of choice for all dj related. If you play music and respect the artists, you will respect the platforms that pay them. Thank you mixcloud for existing!
meanwhile crazy things happened,i boost plays for my latest show which has length 1.23 and after i pay you can listen only 3 min! ,you have to fix these basic problems,nit to loose our money and forget the on-demand videos,i hope to find a solution for my problem,best regards
I believe if the dj records their show that they broadcast live on Mixcloud, if a fan contacts the DJ they could then get the video version sent to them privately through the DJs email or personal/business website. Gray area. ???
We are heavily invested making video experiences to entertain DJs We are thankful for the bridging the Video aspect in LIVE, but its unfortunate that others that did not catch our events don't get to share the experience... but thank you so much for handling music royalties and the continuous support to the art of DJing !!! We love you :D
Thank you for explaining... agree w/others, the laws haven't kept up w/ modern society and it's ridiculous. Cheers to Mixcloud for giving us a creative outlet.
Great decision! VOD is entirely unnecessary to enjoy the music. Music is listened to, not watched 👍
Many thanks for this deeper explanation Mixcloud, I only understood certain things but this breakdown has done it for me.
These rules needs to be updated to suit a modern soceity. I don't understand why it is troublesome to show a DJ mix those tunes, it is however totatally understandable that if you use musicvideos and unlicenced third party content there should be a copyright rule.
1st, thx for the explanation. But this is so disappointing to hear. There's nowhere to stream a live and have it available for replay. It is also sad when I see platforms like Instagram allowing a few dj's to play without being bothered by takedowns, muting, etc. Now I simply ask what is the advantage of paying Mixcloud, rather than using Twitch? 😔