We recently reported that Sony and Naughty Dog were copyright striking and issuing Digital Millennium Copyright Act claims on channels and social media accounts for anyone even remotely talking about the Last of Us: Part II leaks. Some of the channels being hit aren’t even showing any of the leaked videos or images, they’re being hit with copyright strikes for simply talking about the leaks.
Jeremy from Geeks + Gamers was livid about the strike he received on April 29th, 2020 during a stream. He notified his audience about with a tweet.
Sony just hit us on our Gaming With Geeks channel with a copyright strike.
Good job. I’m sure this will make fans feel better about #TheLastofUsPartII pic.twitter.com/EXkVRvglp3
— Jeremy Prime (@DDayCobra) April 30, 2020
Hours later he explained that there were no images or video footage from the leaked videos on display in the livestream, yet the channel received a copyright strike from Sony and the video was taken down.
This is exactly why I invested so much money into our website to be rebuilt – I’m so tired of walking on eggshells with YouTube.
I’ll be pushing my team to get everything done asap.
Thanks for the motivation, @Naughty_Dog
— Jeremy Prime (@DDayCobra) April 30, 2020
If the tweet is unavailable or you’re unable to view the message, an image of the tweet can be viewed below.
As mentioned at the top of the article, Sony has been issuing DMCA claims and copyright strikes all across the internet against any and everyone who posted up, talked about, or even mentioned the content within the leaks.
In the case of Geeks + Gamers, simply having it in the title of the stream was likely enough to warrant Sony’s attention, who probably has their legal team monitoring social media 24/7 until the game releases on June 19th.
What this means for larger channels like Geeks + Gamers is that they won’t be able to livestream until either the copyright strike is removed, or until the penalty on the channel is lifted. That can range between 30 to 90 days depending on the standing of the channel.
But it wasn’t even just the videos discussing the leaks that got hit, videos also discussing Sony’s abuse of the copyright system also got copyright struck.
I showed no images and gave no specific details about The Last Of Us!
What the fuck @TeamYouTube?? pic.twitter.com/DLFdFCWI9K
— Jeremy Prime (@DDayCobra) April 30, 2020
It’s pure insanity.
Jeremy noted that he did reach out to the YouTube team to get help in resolving the issue, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
But Geeks + Gamers wasn’t the only one to get hit. Other users in the comment thread also reported having their channels affected, too, including Weaponized Nerd Rage.
Same shit happened to me not long ago. I uploaded a video talking about Terminator: Dark Fate leaks. Paramount pulled the video, claiming that I uploaded the whole movie.
— Weaponized Nerd Rage (@WeaponizedRage) April 30, 2020
This is happening widespread across the net for basically any content creator showing off or liberally discussing the news surrounding The Last of Us: Part II leaks.
On the upside, the content related to the leaks is still available in full over on the Geeks + Gamers website. That still doesn’t absolve Sony of the fact that they are outright abusing the DMCA claims to silence videos and imagery related to leaks from The Last of Us: Part II.
Oh and for everyone saying that Naughty Dog isn’t converged or that “there is no agenda”, just remember, Neil Druckmann supports Anita Sarkeesian and the de-sexualization of fictional females. Watch the clip for yourself.
Neil Druckmann gives a speech. pic.twitter.com/8Kt4MI61D9
— Kat ☆ (@_Vs_The_World) April 29, 2020
(Thanks for the news tip Jeremy)