Riot Gamesis responsible for some the world’s most streamed games likeLeague of LegendsandValorant. A common struggle for streamers in general is the hassle of playing background music without receiving copyright strikes—fortunately,Riot Gameshas launchedSessions: Vi, an album just to get around this.
Streaming has become a quite expansive market of video entertainment, ranging from people simply talking over a game they are playing, to more laid back, conversational streams, revolving around the streamer interacting with fans. In either case, it is not unusual for streamers to play music in the background, but doing so always comes with a risk. As seen earlier this month when manyTwitch streamers got bombarded with copyright strikes, streamers take a risk every time they play background music, especially if it is copyrighted.
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On July 2 Riot Games Music releasedSessions: Vi, a free 37-track album created specifically for copyright-free content creation. The album is a compilation of mostly instrumental tracks featuring artists like chromonicci, junior state, and Hanz. According to the FAQ on the officialSessionswebsite, Riot Games details its purpose forSessions, stating, “A year ago we made a promise to players and creators: we would create a new music project that is safe to stream and free to use.” PlayingSessions: Viversus any other copyrighted music is one definitive wayto avoid a DMCA takedown on Twitch.
Importantly, Riot Games makes it clear that this album is not exclusive to members of itsLeaguePartner Program or streamers of its games in general. “Sessionsis open to any and all creators interested in some great music for their content,” Riot Games continues on the FAQ.Sessionsis apparently the first of many releases, meaning the music library is only going to grow. It is impressive that despiteRiot Games' massive successes inValorantandLeague of Legends, it is also making strides musically for creators as well.
WhileSessions: Viis free to the public and using it should not result in any DMCA takedowns, streamers must still adhere to the “Legal Jibber Jabber” as Riot Games calls it. As with any content that is not one’s own creation, Riot Games asks that creators still give credits to the artists involved onSessions: Viwhere applicable. Music copyright and distribution is a messy field that punishes those who are not careful with the types of music they incorporate. DMCA takedowns have become more manageable, withTwitch adding new tools to deal with them, but it is better to avoid the DMCA bear entirely than to poke it in the first place.
Riot Games’Sessions: Vican be streamed on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube Music.
