Streamlabs removes “OBS” from its name after accusations of plagiarism

Streamlabs OBS has decided to remove “OBS” from its software name after being accused of creating confusion with open-source software OBS and copying the look of the website of a competing service.

pic.twitter.com/00sjHsmntF

— Streamlabs (@streamlabs) November 17, 2021

Complaints started for the soon-to-be-called Streamlabs after livestream service Lightstream shared a photo on Twitter demonstrating the similarities of its website with Streamlabs Studio’s website. Streamlabs Studio is a cloud-based service that lets content creators share gameplay with simply the use of a browser on PCs and mobile devices. However, Lightstream has been offering the same service already.

🤡 Hey, can I copy your homework?

▽ Yeah, just change it up a bit so it’s not obvious you copied.

🤡 Bet. pic.twitter.com/xODY5uDZeP

— Lightstream (@Lightstream) November 16, 2021

Streamlabs responded to Lightstream’s tweet stating the following: “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.”

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

Just yesterday, Streamlabs had announced its collaboration with Xbox and Twitch for Streamlabs Studio (archive).

Popular streamers like Pokimane shared their thoughts on the subject. Pokimane wrote on Twitter: “Streamlabs better resolve this entire thread of issues or i’ll be asking them to take my face off the platform + look to use another donation service.”

streamlabs better resolve this entire thread of issues or i’ll be asking them to take my face off the platform + look to use another donation service. https://t.co/jfJoxIvc0y

— imane 💜 (@imane) November 17, 2021

OBS (aka OBS Studio and Open Broadcaster Software) also followed up with a series of tweets. According to its tweets, OBS had asked Streamlabs to not use “OBS” in its name, but Streamlabs did not cooperate. Streamlabs had already filed for the “Streamlabs OBS” trademark.

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

The similarity in the names, according to OBS, “have confused users and even companies who don’t understand the difference between the two apps.”

We’re often faced with confused users and even companies who do not understand the difference between the two apps.

Support volunteers are sometimes met with angry users demanding refunds. We've had interactions with several companies who did not realize our apps were separate.

— OBS (@OBSProject) November 17, 2021

[Source]: @streamlabs (Twitter): We are taking immediate action to remove OBS from our name – [Archive]. @Lightstream (Twitter): 🤡 Hey, can I copy your homework? ▽ Yeah, just change it up a bit so it’s not obvious you copied. 🤡 Bet – [Archive]. @streamlabs: We made a mistake – [Archive]. @imane (Twitter): streamlabs better resolve this entire thread of issues or i’ll be asking them to take my face off the platform + look to use another donation service – [Archive]. @OBSProject: 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 – [Archive]. @OBSProject (Twitter): We’re often faced with confused users and even companies who do not understand the difference between the two apps – [Archive].