I originally wasn't going to make a thread about this as it initially appeared to be reaching a quick resolution, but given recent events I thought it would be worth discussing. For those not in the know:
Alex Mauer is a video game musician who worked with Imagos Softworks on a game called Starr Mazer: DSP. Apparently they had a falling out, as Alex claimed she was never paid and, despite a written contract stating otherwise, that she owns the copyright to the soundtrack. Mauer decided that the best way to deal with this was to file hundreds of DMCA takedown notices against YouTubers and Twitch streamers featuring Starr Mazer and other games she has worked on.
Mauer claimed that her actions were an attempt to raise awareness and support for her cause but, considering that all it takes is three such takedowns to shut down a channel and potentially ruin people's livelihoods, she only succeeded in garnering anger and scorn towards her. It didn't take long before prominent YouTube channels like TotalBiscuit, Jim Sterling and SidAlpha took notice and began covering the story, along with offering assistance to those hit by the strikes. Mauer then proceeded to throw more fuel on the fire by expressing disdain for the people she was affecting, claiming that YouTubers didn't have a "real job" anyway. While all of this was going on she was also sending cease and desist letters to her previous employers, including media giant Turner Broadcasting. With no sign of her backing down, Imagos Softworks hired copyright attorney Leonard French to prepare for the impending legal case.
Because this is the internet, it didn't take long before some people began sending death threats Mauer's way, despite repeated warnings and reprimands by those covering it not to do so. This only further exacerbated the situation, with Mauer doubling down and sending increasingly unhinged messages that ultimately resulted in issuing death threats herself. Her perceived mental condition became so tenuous that her family eventually placed her into involuntary psychiatric care. However, she was quickly released and seems hell-bent on picking up where she left off. Not only has she issued hundreds more DMCA takedowns, but she has also cast her cease and desist net further to include representatives from Valve. Currently, that is the extent of the ongoing situation.
So much of this could have been avoided of course, had YouTube decided to be proactive for once and actually looked into the sudden slew of spurious DMCA claims all by one person. However, in typical YouTube fashion, they have not lifted a finger and seem content letting the unhinged psychoses of one person potentially ruin the livelihood of dozens, if not hundreds of YouTubers.
(NOTE: This was before Mauer's release)
TL;DR: Video game musician Alex Mauer issued DMCA takedowns over dispute with contractor, blows up in her face. Ugliness ensues, Mauer has an apparent breakdown, is briefly institutionalized and, upon release, continues down self-destructive path. As usual, YouTube doesn't give a rat's ass despite being in a perfect position to defuse the situation.
Alex Mauer is a video game musician who worked with Imagos Softworks on a game called Starr Mazer: DSP. Apparently they had a falling out, as Alex claimed she was never paid and, despite a written contract stating otherwise, that she owns the copyright to the soundtrack. Mauer decided that the best way to deal with this was to file hundreds of DMCA takedown notices against YouTubers and Twitch streamers featuring Starr Mazer and other games she has worked on.
Mauer claimed that her actions were an attempt to raise awareness and support for her cause but, considering that all it takes is three such takedowns to shut down a channel and potentially ruin people's livelihoods, she only succeeded in garnering anger and scorn towards her. It didn't take long before prominent YouTube channels like TotalBiscuit, Jim Sterling and SidAlpha took notice and began covering the story, along with offering assistance to those hit by the strikes. Mauer then proceeded to throw more fuel on the fire by expressing disdain for the people she was affecting, claiming that YouTubers didn't have a "real job" anyway. While all of this was going on she was also sending cease and desist letters to her previous employers, including media giant Turner Broadcasting. With no sign of her backing down, Imagos Softworks hired copyright attorney Leonard French to prepare for the impending legal case.
Because this is the internet, it didn't take long before some people began sending death threats Mauer's way, despite repeated warnings and reprimands by those covering it not to do so. This only further exacerbated the situation, with Mauer doubling down and sending increasingly unhinged messages that ultimately resulted in issuing death threats herself. Her perceived mental condition became so tenuous that her family eventually placed her into involuntary psychiatric care. However, she was quickly released and seems hell-bent on picking up where she left off. Not only has she issued hundreds more DMCA takedowns, but she has also cast her cease and desist net further to include representatives from Valve. Currently, that is the extent of the ongoing situation.
So much of this could have been avoided of course, had YouTube decided to be proactive for once and actually looked into the sudden slew of spurious DMCA claims all by one person. However, in typical YouTube fashion, they have not lifted a finger and seem content letting the unhinged psychoses of one person potentially ruin the livelihood of dozens, if not hundreds of YouTubers.
(NOTE: This was before Mauer's release)
TL;DR: Video game musician Alex Mauer issued DMCA takedowns over dispute with contractor, blows up in her face. Ugliness ensues, Mauer has an apparent breakdown, is briefly institutionalized and, upon release, continues down self-destructive path. As usual, YouTube doesn't give a rat's ass despite being in a perfect position to defuse the situation.