3 Count: False Takedown

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1: Bungie Sues Destiny 2 Fraudulent DMCA Takedowns Sender For $7.6m

First off today, Zuhaad Ali at The Games Post reports that video game maker Bungie has filed a lawsuit against an individual named Nicholas Minor over allegations that Minor pretended to be a Bungie representative to file false copyright notices against other YouTubers.

According to the lawsuit, Minor goes by the name Lord Nazo on YouTube. He became disgruntled when he was hit by a series of legitimate takedowns filed by Bungie against videos he posted featuring Destiny’s soundtrack. They claim he then created two new Gmail accounts and filed a total of 96 DMCA takedown notices against various other YouTubers.

Bungie is suing for the maximum allowed under the law, $150,000 for each of the works implicated. This brings the potential damages to $7.65 million. According to the lawsuit, the damages are justified due to the harm Bungie incurred when the notices were sent, including community outrage over what members thought were legitimate Bungie DMCA notices.

2: Michael Che Wins Copyright Suit Over TikToker’s “HomeGirl” Sketch

Next up today, Winston Cho at The Holywood Reporter Esquire reports that comedia Michael Che has emerged victorious in a lawsuit filed against him by TikToker Kelly Manno over allegations that a comedy routine Che performed violated a series of videos she created.

Manno created a series of comedy videos on TikiTok named HomeGirl Hotline. According to her complaint, Che created a very similar sketch as part of his HBO comedy series That Damn Michael Che. Manno filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement, both in the structure of the sketches and characters involved.

However, the judge has dismissed the case, ruling that the similarities do not rise to the level of substantial similarity under the law. As such, the judge has dismissed the case, handing an early win to Che.

3: Fake Copyright Infringement Emails Install LockBit Ransomware

Finally today, Bill Toulas at Bleeping Computer reports that the criminals behind the LockBit ransomware have found a new way to spread their malware, through fake copyright notices.

According to reports, the email arrives pretending to be a copyright notice. However, the “evidence” attached to the email is actually a zip file containing an executable file disguised as a PDF. Once run, the attachment installs the LockBit ransomware, which attempts to extort money from victims by encrypting their files.

LockBit is currently the most common type of ransomware and accounts for roughly 40% of all attacks. Security professionals advise that, if a copyright notice requires you to open an attachment to see what the alleged infringement it, it is almost certainly a scam and not a real notice.

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