ToastedShoes, the mastermind behind a really unhinged YouTube channel by the identical identify, has alleged that Warner Bros. is “threatening to destroy” his channel via an overkill IP infringement discover.
You may bear in mind ToastedShoes because the man who added Homer Simpson to Elden Ring, or the one that tempted the famously litigious Nintendo with a Palworld Pokémon conversion mod (which later acquired an accursed, however legally distinct model).
Most not too long ago, the YouTuber crafted a Star Wars clone trooper mod for Helldivers 2 with the assistance of his group—which is vital context, since he is not at all a solo act. ToastedShoes the YouTube Channel is, by all accounts, a enterprise with workers and salaries.
A big a part of ToastedShoes’ bread and butter, nevertheless, are (presently, have been) his now-vanished Mortal Kombat movies, which featured characters from nearly in every single place (together with Disney and Pixar properties) completely wrecking one another in NetherRealm’s gore-splattered preventing video games.
I voiced Rick, Morty, and Meeseeks in one other @ToastedShoes mod 🙂 pic.twitter.com/IoI5GgBLhTDecember 26, 2023
ToastedShoes mentioned the scenario on his Twitter in a prolonged submit: “this morning I acquired an IP Infringement Notification instantly from Warner Brothers stating that the Mortal Kombat mods in my content material ‘infringe’ on their mental property rights. I have been requested to delete all Mortal Kombat 1 movies from my channel or else they may problem copyright strikes and basically delete my channel in its entirety.”
A report by IGN states that the takedowns in query have been filed by an “AI-powered model safety firm known as Tracer,” which means that the takedown notices have been, partially, automated.
I’ve loads of sympathy for ToastedShoes right here, even for those who may make the argument that his livelihood does very a lot hinge on taking part in with hearth—particularly within the trendy age of more and more aggressive copyright claims.
An attention-grabbing wrinkle he highlights, nevertheless, is that NetherRealm Chief Artistic Officer has retweeted and proven enthusiasm for the modding group earlier than—regardless of NetherRealm itself being owned by Warner Bros Video games. This may not be all that shocking, as claims like this have a tendency to come back from publishers and the like, slightly than the studios themselves.
Kendrick v Drake. The universe telling us {that a} new Def Jam is required? pic.twitter.com/Ywi067bpuoMay 20, 2024
“The clips of my mods have over 1 billion views throughout all platforms which have allowed me to carry consideration to the sport in addition to to proceed supporting the group of builders I work with. My group of modders work with me on each a component time and full time foundation and the income from these movies pays their wages.”
ToastedShoes alleges that he has been unable to answer to Warner Bros instantly: “I’ve no means of contacting Warner Brothers or asking what precisely they deem [infringements] on their copyright. I additionally appear to be the one content material creator that I do know of that has been despatched a stop and desist from Warner Brothers … attributable to all this I’m now pressured to take away all movies from my channel.”
The entire thing does really feel like a U-turn from Warner Bros, who in any other case let the movies exist unabated for months with out a lot as a peep. I’ve reached out to Warner Bros Video games for remark, and I am going to replace this text if I am offered a response.