Copyright As Censorship: Comic Artist Uses DMCA To Censor Critical Blogs
from the because-isn't-that-what-copyright-is-for? dept
Another in our series on copyright being used for censorship. Pointed out by Kevin Carson, comic artist Randy Queen, the author of Darkchylde has apparently filed a bunch of DMCA takedown notices against posts on the Escher Girls Tumblr page -- which "archives and showcases the prevalence of certain ways women are depicted" in various pop media, including comics. It appears that Queen did not like being criticized in this manner.So yesterday I found out that Randy Queen (artist of DarkChylde) filed a bunch of DMCA takedown notices to Tumblr to remove posts of his covers on this blog (the entire posts, not just the images). I’ve also gotten messages from other users that he’s had their stuff removed too (redraws, etc that have been featured here). Non-critical Tumblr posts of his art/covers and those praising his work appear to be unaffected.The folks behind Escher Girls apparently aren't inclined to fight it (and even say they don't wish to pick a fight with Queen), but are just informing people of what's going on. Still it is troubling. It's worrisome that Queen appears to be abusing the DMCA in this manner. It's unfortunate that Tumblr just gave in. It's disappointing that Escher Girls apparently isn't even going to file a counternotice.
The end result is the same again: copyright is being used for censorship of criticism, rather than as an incentive for creativity.
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Filed Under: censorship, copyright, criticism, dmca, randy queen
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But just think of how many artists don't want to put their work out there because they fear criticism! If nobody can be critical of art, there could be so much more!
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Why fight it?
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Sauce for the goose...
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Re: Sauce for the goose...
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Re: Re: Sauce for the goose...
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Re: Re: Sauce for the goose...
No you wouldn't, you can simply claim to be the agent of the copyright holder.
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vaguness in threats = hallmark of legal thuggery
https://i.imgur.com/DjwCjcy.png
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Re: vaguness in threats = hallmark of legal thuggery
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Re: Re: vaguness in threats = hallmark of legal thuggery
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Re: vaguness in threats = hallmark of legal thuggery
1) There is no such right in copyright law
2) If perception is his concern, he might start with not abusing the DMCA and then continuing to argue even after they already caved to his bogus filing.
Also,
"no good will come of this"
He's right. But the bad will fall on him, not anyone else.
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It also sounds like it might be an excellent DMCA 512(f) test case if he used a copyright claim to take down "entire posts, not just the images" -- since there's no way he has any rights to the entire posts.
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Please note the utter lack of punishment for doing this, all you can sue for is damages and those would be minimal.
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http://eschergirls.soup.io/since/261944891?mode=own&newer=1
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well, he'll be happy to know...
what would be the equivalent to a 'streisand effect' where you previously didn't know of a person's existence, but now that they've made themselves obnoxiously known, you decide you hate them ? ? ?
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Common sense
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Re: Common sense
There is an exception to copyright called fair use, pretty explicitly covering cases of criticism like this.
The correct sequence of events should have been Tumblr rejecting the DMCA claim, but they will never do that because they are too scared. Barring that, the blogger should file a counter-notice, and then Tumblr should re-instate. It looks like the blogger doesn't want to deal with the fighting and fallout (because she probably doesn't have a lawyer on retainer...) so she's just rolling over, which is a shame but totally understandable.
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Re: Common sense
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Damn, someone was killed with a hammer recently. Clearly the hammer industry needs to be abolished, as it's just being used for bad things.
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Finally decided to log back in, eh fuckwit?
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So yeah, your hammer analogy doesn't really fly here.
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