Live video streaming platform Twitch announced a new copyright protection strategy that will automatically mute unauthorized audio on videos.

Twitch's automatic audio/music monitoring tool will use audio recognition technology from Audible Magic to detect unlicensed usage of ambient and in-game music in streamed videos. It will scan 30-minute clips from various users and videos and if it detects unauthorized audio, the entire selection will be muted, said CNET.

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"We respect the rights of copyright owners, and are voluntarily undertaking this effort to help protect both our broadcasters and copyright owners," said Elizabeth Baker, Twitch's general counsel in a blog post.

"Audio Recognition will only be run against audio in VODs. We are not scanning live broadcasts and there is no automated takedown of live content."

The client functions like Content ID, the digital toolset used by YouTube for content management and copyright policies.

YouTube, which has been owned by Google since 2006, is reportedly attempting to purchase Twitch for US$1 billion. If the deal goes through, the acquisition is set be YouTube's biggest agreement since being bought by Google for US$1.65 billion.

Twitch, however, acknowledged its system won't always be accurate.

"It may return false positives or miss content from copyright owners who do not work with Audible Magic," Baker said.

She offered several suggestions for users that want to include free-to-use music in their VODs.

The video game sharing site also said it will no longer offer the option of keeping past streaming broadcasts forever.

To be able to receive and store more videos, Twitch said that it will drop the "save forever" option from previous broadcasts.

The modifications Twitch is making suggests it's organizing its site for a seamless acquisition by another company.

TagsTwitch, Video games, Gaming, streaming, games, YouTube, Music, audio