Exploring Risks: False DMCA Claims on YouTube Creators
Filing false Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices against YouTube creators can have serious consequences. However, some people file these notices without fully understanding copyright law or verifying infringement, risking perjury and opening themselves up to liability.
This article will analyze the risks of filing false DMCA claims, explain YouTube’s copyright strike system, discuss alternatives to DMCA takedowns, and provide tips to avoid bogus claims. With the proper knowledge, copyright holders can protect their rights without unfairly targeting creators.
YouTube’s Copyright Strike System
YouTube operates on a “three strikes” policy for alleged copyright infringement. Creators who receive three copyright strikes within 90 days face account termination, with all videos and channels removed. Strikes expire after 90 days under most circumstances.
Copyright strikes stem from DMCA takedown requests sent to YouTube by rights holders. Under the DMCA, YouTube must expeditiously remove allegedly infringing content upon receiving proper notice.
How Copyright Strikes Are Issued
YouTube issues a copyright strike against a creator when all of the following occur:
- A copyright holder or agent submits a complete and valid DMCA takedown notice.
- The notice identifies infringing content.
- YouTube determines the video or segment named in the notice infringes copyright after reviewing both sides’ arguments.
If any part of this process fails, a strike should not issue. Unfortunately, some invalid or questionable notices still make it through, harming creators.
Risks of False DMCA Claims
Filing a false DMCA takedown notice involves legal risks even if done accidentally without malice. These risks include perjury, misrepresentation, and liability for damages.
Perjury
DMCA takedown notices must be submitted under penalty of perjury. The filer attests they have a “good faith belief” the targeted material infringes copyright. Lying on a DMCA form constitutes perjury, a federal crime carrying up to 5 years imprisonment.
People risk perjury when they:
- Fail to actually review the content accused of infringing.
- Misrepresent ownership of a copyright.
- Know the videos in question do not infringe but send notices anyway trying to censor creators unfairly.
While authorities rarely prosecute DMCA perjury itself, the false statements can still nullify notices and open filers up to civil liability.
Misrepresentation
Copyright misrepresentation involves deceitfully threatening legal action. Like perjury, misrepresentation undercuts the “good faith” requirement of DMCA notices. Tactics constituting misrepresentation include:
- Pretending to be the real copyright holder without permission to send notices on their behalf.
- Fabricating ownership rights in a work to unlawfully collect revenue from creators.
- Disguising censorship attempts as infringement claims.
These tactics abuse the DMCA process and violate the law. Like perjury, they can also prompt penalties and lawsuits.
Liability for Damages
Bogus DMCA notices that result in unwarranted copyright strikes open filers up to liability. Harmed creators and other parties can sue for damages under the DMCA. Possible causes of action include:
- Section 512(f) – Targets “knowing material misrepresentations” in takedown notices. Allows recovery of lost profits and legal fees.
- Tortious interference – When false claims intentionally damage business relationships between creators and YouTube/advertisers.
- Defamation – If notices contain false accusations of illegal conduct.
- Antitrust – Notices sent to undermine competition may prompt antitrust lawsuits.
Successful suits can cost claimants money for settlements, lawyers, judgments, and other penalties.
In short, false DMCA notices can prompt perjury prosecutions, misrepresentation claims, and expensive civil lawsuits. Filers must exercise great caution to avoid these outcomes.
Alternatives to DMCA Takedowns
Rights holders have less risky alternatives to DMCA notices for addressing online infringement. These include:
Direct Outreach
Copyright holders can email creators directly explaining identified infringement issues. This gives creators a chance to voluntarily take down or edit videos avoiding DMCA involvement. Most creators will cooperate fully once notified. Outreach protects rights without immediately resorting to strikes.
YouTube’s Content ID System
Rights holders can have YouTube automatically identify matching videos through Content ID. Content ID is an automated system that scans new uploads against submitted media libraries, allowing matched content to be tracked.
Rights holders can have YouTube block claimed videos, run ads on them earning revenue, or just monitor view data. Content ID prevents infringement without directly targeting creators.
YouTube’s Copyright Match Tool
YouTube provides a tool for easily finding duplicate videos to claim through Content ID. The tool compares video files to indexed YouTube content, identifying close matches. This lets copyright holders efficiently search YouTube for potential infringement. Content ID strikes can then address confirmed copies.
Seeking Informal Mediation
Copyright holders may also pursue informal mediation with creators over infringement concerns. Through open communication, the parties can potentially reach cooperative resolutions. Influencers often agree to edit or remove content once made aware of specific issues. Mediation prevents situations from escalating to formal complaints and copyright strikes.
Compulsory Licensing
For music copyright holders, compulsory licensing offers monetization without takedowns. Rights holders can leave infringing songs in videos while collecting licensing fees. This addresses infringement financially without targeting creators. However, licensing does not extend to other copyrightable material like video content itself.
Tips to Avoid Bogus DMCA Claims
All copyright enforcers should adopt best practices for avoiding bad faith or inaccurate DMCA takedowns:
Fully Review Accused Videos First
Rigorously watch and examine videos before sending notices. Understand exactly what content you accuse of infringement. Confirm you have matching copyrighted material legally. Not reviewing means guessing about infringement.
Confirm Ownership Rights
Verify current ownership of involved copyrights before making accusations. Check registration certificates, licensing agreements, and chain-of-title. Notices require representing a true copyright holder’s interests.
Seek Second Opinions
Consult legal counsel when unsure if a video infringes. Lawyers can assess if certain uses qualify as fair use or other exceptions. Their neutral opinion helps avoid biased, knee-jerk claims.
Consider Fair Use
Remember fair use allows unlicensed copying for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, and parody. These uses often do not constitute infringement despite borrowing from copyrighted works. Carefully assess if accused videos qualify as fair use before claiming them.
Notify Creators First
Email creators explaining concerns and seeking voluntary takedowns before employing DMCA notices as a last resort. Most influencers will fix any identified problems without strikes once notified. Good faith communication should start enforcement.
Draft Formal Policies
Adopt internal policies governing copyright enforcement to prevent careless mistakes. Policies should mandate:
- Reviewing accused content
- Confirming ownership rights
- Assessing fair use factors
- Reaching out directly to creators first
- Consulting counsel on unclear cases
Formal procedures ensure duty of care when targeting creators’ channels through DMCA actions.
FAQ About False DMCA Claims
Below are answers to frequently asked questions on risks of bogus DMCA takedown notices:
Can you sue for a false copyright strike?
Yes, creators can sue filers of false DMCA notices for damages under Section 512(f). Successful suits can recover lost income, future lost profits, and attorneys fees. Some states also allow suing for defamation.
Does a false copyright strike go on your record?
Yes, even false strikes remain visible on creator YouTube accounts. The strikes only disappear when expiring after 90 days or getting overturned through successful appeals. They harm reputations and monetization in the meantime.
Can you go to jail for false copyright claims?
Filers can potentially go to jail for up to 5 years for perjury by lying in DMCA notices. However, authorities rarely pursue perjury itself in these cases. Jail time depends on also violating broader laws around fraud, racketeering, extortion, etc.
What happens if you falsely accuse someone of copyright?
Falsely accusing creators of infringement can open filers to lawsuits for damages, defamation, and other claims. It undermines careers through unwarranted strikes. Filers may also face penalties for copyright misrepresentation, perjury, and abusive DMCA practices.
How much does a false copyright strike cost?
False strikes can cost creators and filers money in multiple ways:
- Creators lose income when videos get taken down. Lost future earnings are also possible.
- Legal fees for lawsuits by both parties can total tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Settlements awarded to creators average between $25,000-$75,000 in cases.
- Statutory damages for infringement can reach $150,000 per work in extreme cases.
In total, the financial costs of false copyright claims can be severe for all parties involved. Careful verification of infringement is essential before starting the strike process.
Conclusion
False DMCA takedown notices can severely harm creators and open filers up to major legal liabilities. However, copyright holders have plenty of alternatives for enforcing rights without targeting channels unfairly. By understanding the risks and utilizing best practices, rights holders can protect content while avoiding bogus accusations. With some care and communication, copyrights and creator careers can coexist successfully on YouTube.
