Free for a Fee

Some YouTube video creators have found themselves on the unhappy side of copyright law recently as they say that Activision has been issuing copyright strikes on videos showing glitches and exploits in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

Over the weekend, popular gaming video network Machinima issued a warning to its creators, telling them that “Activision is being particularly vigilant about their Call of Duty videos lately, issuing strikes on videos showing glitches… please be careful.” Under YouTube’s copyright strike system, accounts start losing certain privileges after a single copyright strike goes through, and could be banned altogether after three such strikes (though strikes can be challenged or expunged by going through Youtube’s Copyright School).

To be fair, Activision doesn’t seem to be taking down every video that shows glitches or exploits in Advanced Warfare; there are still dozens if not hundreds readily available through a quick search. In a statement, Activision said it was that it was specifically targeting “videos that promote cheating and unfair exploits”—that is, videos that highlight how to gain advantages in online matches. “As always, we keep an eye out for these videos—our level of video claims hasn’t changed. We are appreciative of the community’s support in helping to ensure that everyone has the best playing experience possible.”