Destiny 2 developer files lawsuit after its own videos were hit with fraudulent copyright claims

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The developer still doesn't know the identities of those responsible, though

Destiny 2 The Witch Queen
(Image credit: Bungie)

Destiny 2 developer Bungie has announced it's filed lawsuits against those who sent out fake DMCA notices on its behalf earlier this month.

As first reported by Torrent Freak, Bungie quietly announced it would be punishing the senders of fake DMCA notices via lawsuits. While Bungie initially announced last week that the DMCA notices weren't being sent on their behalf, it's now revealed that they were sent from a Google account designed to mimic an anti-piracy partner the studio works with.

Bungie has since criticized Google for processing the fraudulent DMCA requests from the Google account. Now though, the developer has apparently filed a lawsuit against 10 people in a 29-page complaint that includes allegations of abusive notices sent under DMCA, trademark abuse, and violations of consumer protection law.

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However, Bungie doesn't actually know the identities of the people responsible for the fake DMCA notices. The developer fully intends to track down the individuals though, primarily through a DMCA subpoena, and is actually requesting that damages amounting to $150,000 be rewarded for each case of a fraudulent DMCA notice sent on their behalf.

At the time of the copyright strikes earlier this month, Bungie's own YouTube channel was hit with multiple DMCA takedowns, as were prolific content creators among the Destiny 2 community, including lore expert MyNameIsByf. Shortly after, one YouTuber announced that the copyright strikes on their videos had actually been taken down, and now it seems Bungie is hellbent on punishing those responsible.

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Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.