TikTok’s Video Maker Accused Of Passing Off Open-Source Tools As Its Own

Earlier this month, TikTok launched Live Studio, a video production tool to aid creators in producing high-quality live streams. While it has only been made available to several thousands of users in a few countries, the app has already experienced controversy. 

Namely, the social media platform is being accused of using open-source code from the Open Broadcaster Software project’s OBS Studio app without properly adhering to its licensing terms. 

Ben Torell, the Business Development Manager at Open Broadcaster Software, told Protocol that his team had “clear evidence” that TikTok had violated its policies. He said that the project had reached out to the app, though it seems that it has yet to receive a response. 

For those unfamiliar with OBS Studio, it is a popular app used by live-streamers to broadcast their shows worldwide. In fact, Reddit had used the OBS Studio code to build its own live-streaming platforms but did not run into any trouble as it followed the source code’s licensing guidelines.

Under the terms of the license, companies have to make their modified codes available to the public as well.

At the moment, Open Broadcaster Software said it was doing its best to avoid a legal melee, and instead “would be happy to have a friendly working relationship with [TikTok] as long as they comply with the license.” 

[via Protocol, cover image via Primakov / Shutterstock.com]