The CSGO community on Twitch is experiencing a bizarre ban-wave as huge broadcasters are having their channels taken down amid the StarLadder 2019 Berlin Major.


The second Major of 2019 has a lot of viewers hyped to see the biggest CSGO teams don the stage once again. As various storylines will undoubtedly unfold, Twitch streamers are tuning in to share the biggest moments with their audiences.

But it seems like copyright strikes are stopping these channels in their tracks, as numerous streamers are pointing to DMCA takedowns from StarLadder as the reason for the unexpected bans.


While StarLadder is putting on an incredible production to bring the Berlin Major to the homes of thousands, Twitch streamers have been tuning into the GOTV version of the matches found inside of the game.

Major CSGO streamers like Erik ‘fl0m’ Flom, Andre ‘nooky’ Utesch, and more have been banned, apparently with no reason given, after streaming the Major on their channels.

Full list of banned CSGO streamers



UPDATE - Some of the streamers listed below have started to get their Twitch bans rescinded (* denotes unbanned)

fl0m*

mch_AGG

pelaajatcom

metabro*

nookyyy

1ukeofficial

maleK_CSGO

gabepeixe

dimaoneshot

viperdemon

mchfps

Ryu7z


The tournament organizers themselves have it written in their StarLadder Major 2019 Official Rulebook and Regulations that they have all broadcasting rights including “video streams (e.g. PoV streams), radio streams, GOTV, replays, demos or TV broadcasts.”

Just got banned on @Twitch @TwitchDE and i dont know y - didnt even got a mail with a reason or something :/



WTF ??? — nookyyy (@nookyyy) August 24, 2019


In fact, ESL had the same stipulation for the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice CSGO Major, but that wasn’t largely enforced as it is being with the StarLadder Major.

In StarLadder’s case, they’ve been handing crucial DMCAs to channels that Twitch has no choice but to oblige by. Although some streamers are saying that these harsh strikes to their channels came with no notice.

“So to clarify StarLadderCSGO just DMCA'd me for streaming the GOTV,” fl0m said after having his channel taken down. “I had casters muted and my sponsors hidden. I can't confirm 100% this next part but I believe starladder now has exclusive rights to the major and I need permission from them to be able to stream the major.”


so this is different from the ESL dota 2 ruling as this major is exclusive to starladder. once again im still confirming this last point but im 99% certain this is why im banned. all i can say is sorry but the lack of communication on this front is astounding. — fl0m (@fl0mtv) August 24, 2019

Fl0m expressed his frustrations on Twitter since the DMCA marks the first time the streamer’s channel had ever got banned.

“I’m so upset. First ever ban on twitch. Nobody from StarLadder reached out asked me to turn it off or anything. Just straight DMCA’d me for doing something we do every Major.”


The CSGO community are holding their collective breaths to see how Valve and StarLadder will handle these DMCA’s as the debacle is souring the viewing experience for fans in only the second day of the Berlin Major.