A gamer going by the moniker ‘Lord Nazos’ has been held accountable for his actions after orchestrating a deceptive copyright takedown scheme on YouTube. In a brazen move, he impersonated a Bungie anti-piracy partner, falsely claiming to represent the gaming company, in order to remove videos created by Destiny content creators from the platform. His stated intention was to “raise awareness” about flaws in YouTube’s takedown system.
The audacious scheme did not go unnoticed. Bungie, the rightful owner of the Destiny franchise, launched a thorough investigation to track down the individual behind the fraudulent takedown requests. Their efforts ultimately led to the identification of ‘Lord Nazos’ and the exposure of his deceptive actions.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding against abuse of the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and the repercussions that await those who attempt to manipulate copyright enforcement systems for their own agenda.
The misuse of DMCA notices is a persistent headache for content creators and platforms alike, often triggering automated policies that assume the validity of the claims, regardless of their accuracy. This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate the removal of content, even on major platforms that are well-versed in handling fraudulent claims.
In a notable incident in March 2022, YouTube received a barrage of DMCA notices claiming copyright infringement on content associated with the video game developer Bungie. These notices targeted videos created by prominent Destiny content creators, as well as Bungie’s own channels. Initially, suspicions fell on Bungie itself, prompting the company to launch a vigorous defense to protect its reputation and rectify the situation.
Bungie’s investigation revealed that the notices were sent from a deceptive Google account designed to mimic a legitimate Bungie anti-piracy partner. Subsequently, Bungie took decisive legal action, filing a lawsuit in the United States to address the infringement. The lawsuit underscored the significant harm caused by these fraudulent complaints, both to Bungie’s community and the company itself, emphasizing a resolute stance against such misconduct.
In June 2022, Bungie took decisive action, filing an amended complaint against YouTuber Lord Nazo, also known as Nicholas Minor, seeking $7.65 million in damages.
Bungie’s meticulous investigation traced the perpetrator’s online footprint with unprecedented detail. Following the digital breadcrumbs, Bungie uncovered crucial links, including persistent email addresses used across multiple platforms, one of which was compromised in a data breach. By connecting the dots, Bungie successfully identified Minor, revealing his full name and physical address.
The catalyst for Minor’s misguided campaign was a takedown notice from Bungie regarding a video on his YouTube channel. Convinced of its fraudulent nature, Minor sought redress from YouTube, but his efforts were in vain. Frustrated and fueled by a sense of injustice, Minor embarked on a mission to “raise awareness” by issuing bogus DMCA notices against legitimate content creators in Bungie’s community.
In a deposition, Minor admitted culpability, acknowledging the severe impact of his actions on the community. However, he claimed ignorance of the full extent of the damage caused.
In December 2023, Bungie sought summary judgment on the DMCA violation, which Minor did not contest. Senior District Judge Marsha J. Pechman unequivocally ruled in Bungie’s favor, emphasizing Minor’s intentional and knowing misrepresentation, as well as the significant harm inflicted on Bungie’s reputation.
While this judgment marks a significant victory for Bungie, the legal battle is far from over. Remaining claims include copyright infringement, business defamation, and breach of contract, ensuring that this saga will continue to unfold in the courts for the foreseeable future.
