Bungie launched a lawsuit against DMCA trolls after weeks of complaints from the Destiny community.
Over the past few weeks users began complaining about DMCA notices being filed against their YouTube videos. Bungie then responded to the Content Creators with their own public statement.
“We’re aware of a series of copyright takedowns on YouTube and we’re actively investigating,” the developer said on Twitter. “This includes content on our own Bungie channels. These actions are NOT being taken at the request of Bungie or our partners. Please standby for future updates.“
Not only did Bungie acknowledge the strikes, but they also revealed that they themselves were targeted as well. Bungie then followed up on the matter in a blog post.
“Google has confirmed that the accounts that have submitted fraudulent legal requests to YouTube have been terminated and will no longer have access to Google products… At the end of the day, our content creator community is invaluable to us – and no, not just the ‘big’ creators. We understand that many creators have their content as a source of primary income, and we do not wish to cause harm to those that express their passion through art.“
You can read the full report here. Since then, Torrentfreak has reported that Bungie launched a lawsuit against DMCA trolls responsible for the false DMCA attacks against not only their community but Bungie themselves.
Bungie also criticized YouTube’s flawed reporting system for allowing anyone to claim they hold the copyright to something without having to prove it.
In the final complaint documents handed to the courts, Bungie describes YouTubes reporting system as a “gaping security loophole which allows any person to claim to be representing any rights holder in the world for purposes of issuing a DMCA takedown. “
Bungie also blamed YouTubes system for delays caused by an “opaque support process” that left Bungie “Stranded in a circular loop”.
Torrentfreak also reports that the anonymous people responsible for the DMCA takedowns have supposedly messaged various YouTubers affected by these takedowns with the following apology
“Finally, I know this hardly means anything, but I apologize to you and everyone else who was affected by my selfish actions. You have every right to be furious with me. My goal was to get Bungie to see the fake takedowns and stop them. That’s all,”
However, this has not stopped Bungie from pursuing legal action against them, via the new lawsuit.
What do you make of this Fiasco? Do you think this lawsuit will finally convince YouTube to fix its reporting systems? Let us know in the comments.
