Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Is a YouTuber Using Copyright Law to Silence Speech?
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Jul 11, 2025 Meredith Rose, Senior Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge, dives deep into the complex intersection of copyright law and free speech. She highlights how powerful creators are using copyright claims to silence smaller voices. The discussion covers the historical context of the DMCA and its implications, the challenges of navigating fair use in reaction videos, and the dynamics of fan communities. Rose emphasizes the need for reform to protect against spurious lawsuits that threaten expression in today’s digital landscape.
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Copyright Law Silences Speech
- Copyright law, originally designed to promote creativity, now often silences online speech through takedowns.
- Powerful creators and corporations alike misuse copyright to remove content they dislike without court intervention.
DMCA Abuse Undermines Fair Use
- The DMCA takedown system intended for copyright protection is widely abused to silence unflattering content.
- Courts rarely penalize wrongful takedowns due to complex fair use considerations, rendering protections ineffective.
Lindsay Ellis Silenced by DMCA
- YouTuber Lindsay Ellis received a DMCA takedown for critiquing a copyright lawsuit about the Omegaverse trope.
- She made a follow-up video discussing how she was silenced using copyright law for commentary.