Bogus copyright and trademark complaints have threatened all kinds of creative expression on the Internet. EFF's Hall Of Shame collects the worst of the worst.
-
Time Warner Cable
-
Knowledge Matters and Martin Penny
-
Gordon Klingenschmitt
-
Don Henley, Glenn Frey (members of The Eagles)
-
Universal Music Group
-
Church of Scientology
Other Honorees
-
Cowboy Group Tries to Censor Animal Welfare Nonprofit
-
Music Publisher Silences Scores of Videos in Spat with YouTube
-
The Most Litigious Dessert in America
-
Diamond Conglomerate Attempts to Silence Critical Parody
-
NPR Forces Takedown of Political Ad Weeks Before Critical Vote
-
Yahoo Tries to Hide Snoop Service Price List
-
CBS News Censors McCain Ad During Heated Presidential Campaign
-
News Agency With Dubious Copyright Claim Threatens Removal
-
Energy Company Rages Against Activist's Comedic Spoof
-
Homeland Insecurity Through Bogus Takedowns
-
Shock Jock Attacks Critics With Bogus Suit
-
Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Silence Critical YouTube Clip
-
Retailer Tries to Censor "Photoshop Disaster" Advertisement
-
Crude Copyright Complaints To Silence an Oil Company Satire
-
Diebold Tries to Wipe Out Discussion of E-Voting Flaws
-
Music Publisher Tries to Muzzle Podcast Criticizing Akon
-
Real Estate Developers Censor Community Critic's Website
-
Dervaes Institute Claims Ownership of Phrase "Urban Homesteading"
-
The Raspberry Beret Lifetime Aggrievement Award
-
NBC Issues Takedown on Viral Obama Ad
-
Blogger and Pageant Operators Try to Block Advocacy Non-Profit Ad
-
Music Publisher Claims Copyright on the Public Domain's "This Land is Your Land"
-
Prince Tries to Bury "Dancing Baby" Clip
-
Car Expo Attempts to Silence Community Protest
-
Ulrich Schwanitz - Penrose Triangle - 3D Design Takedown
-
Broadcast Company Tries to Manipulate Copyright to Avoid Criticism
-
Paranormalist Claims Three-Second Copyright in Attempt to Censor Critical Video
Learn More
-
Submit an Honoree
Do you know of a culprit who ought to be included in the Hall Of Shame? Send us an email! We can't promise to reply to all submissions, but we do want to hear from you. -
A Guide to YouTube Removals
So your video was removed from YouTube... what do you need to know? -
Avoiding Gripes About Your Gripe or Parody Site
Tips for warding off complaints about your website. -
No Downtime For Free Speech
Headquarters for all things related to EFF's work protecting free speech from bogus legal threats.