Last November 17, the official OBS Twitter page released a thread talking about how ‘Streamlabs OBS’ has been using the OBS name without permission.
Near the launch of SLOBS, @streamlabs reached out to us about using the OBS name. We kindly asked them not to. They did so anyway and followed up by filing a trademark
We’ve tried to sort this out in private and they have been uncooperative at every turnhttps://t.co/r1eXr3VxcJ
— OBS (@OBSProject) November 17, 2021
For those who are unfamiliar with streaming software, Streamlabs OBS is a highly popular software that is used by live-streamers on platforms like Twitch and Youtube. It is a user-friendly app built off of an entirely different open-source software called Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) In short, Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) is an easier to use version of OBS.
The problem here is that the creators of OBS asked Streamlabs OBS not to use their name, and they did so anyway.
In their Twitter thread, OBS says “Near the launch of SLOBS, @streamlabs reached out to us about using the OBS name. We kindly asked them not to. They did so anyway and followed up by filing a trademark.”
OBS continues to claim that they tried to sort out the matter privately, but that Streamlabs had not been cooperative. As a result, OBS has had to face puzzled and even angry users and companies who did not know the difference between the two apps.
Streamlabs OBS then tweeted a statement apologizing for the matter, and that they would remove “OBS” from their name. Take note that they only did this after being called out.
— Streamlabs (@streamlabs) November 17, 2021
Unfortunately, this is not the only controversy Streamlabs has dug themselves into. The whole reason why OBS called out the company is because they had launched something called Streamlab Studio. This software would allow streamers to share live gameplay without a capture card, and it would make streamers have control over their stream using their phones. Seems revolutionary, except when you consider the fact that a similar software called Lightstream does the same thing.
What makes this situation worse is that the Lightstream Twitter account shared some suspicious similarities in their website and the Streamlab Studio website.
The accused did reply to the tweet, saying that they made a mistake, but many people are not buying that excuse.
We made a mistake. Text on the landing page was placeholder text that went into production by error. This is our fault. We removed the text as soon as we found out. Our intended version is now live. Lightstream team is great and we’ve reached out directly to them to apologize.
— Streamlabs (@streamlabs) November 16, 2021
Many creators have responded to Streamlabs’ slew of controversies, most of them choosing to step away from using the software.
Alright! So I’m moving all my stuff over to OBS and Streamelements Lets boycott Streamlabs 🤡 https://t.co/mj4Z2csNrV
— Froot💀VSHOJO (@LichVtuber) November 17, 2021
Streamer/Youtuber Twitter tonight in one image #slobs #obs pic.twitter.com/IZabeaMPDQ
— JM (He/Him/His) (@JMKitsune) November 17, 2021
Really shitty to see them disrespect the OBS team like this.
I swapped to @StreamElements for alerts a year ago because it really felt like @streamlabs was trying to trick people into signing up for their premium service. They also made it very awkward to cancel the subscription https://t.co/rxvrLdJANg
— Kevin (@CallMeKevin1811) November 17, 2021
I thought SLOBS was a collaborative project between OBS and SL, I had no idea they just used the name against your wishes… pic.twitter.com/klZ1EXHRIH
— Anne Munition (@AnneMunition) November 17, 2021
WOW. I definitely thought SLOBS was a collab with OBS. I’m glad I left @streamlabs behind a hot minute ago – it was always screwing up anyway, and to find out they’ve taken advantage of the good nature of the OBS team? Yikes. https://t.co/r4mhNoqDv9
— Meg Turney (@megturney) November 17, 2021
