Several YouTubers are reporting that they’re getting hit with bizarre copyright claims from Fullscreen, Inc. for using random numbers in their videos.
YouTuber and Twitch streamer Anne Munition said she received several copyright claims for using the numbers 36, 50, and 65.
did you guys know you can copyright the number 36 pic.twitter.com/dnja297R73
— Anne Munition (@AnneMunition) January 24, 2020
by the way, also got copyright claims for the number 50 lmao pic.twitter.com/MhWcMD9l8i
— Anne Munition (@AnneMunition) January 24, 2020
See, you're smart. These guys went for 65 – "65"??? Really? Lame number, honestly. pic.twitter.com/VVofNMUWpg
— Anne Munition (@AnneMunition) January 24, 2020
Anne Munition has appealed the claim with the message: “You can’t copyright a number, you wombats.”
YouTuber SonicGhost was hit with a copyright claim for using the number 32. “I can’t even look up what video Fullscreen is using to base this claim off of!” SonicGhost said. “Fantastic copyright system as always YouTube.”
Ah yes. The most accurate way to copyright claim a video. I use 32 in my video. Something that is extremely vague and tells me nothing about this claim. I can't even look up what video Fullscreen is using to base this claim off of! Fantastic copyright system as always YouTube. pic.twitter.com/ZTcKI5yroD
— SonicGhost (@SonicGhost64) January 22, 2020
YouTuber KIKZ_thekiller also received a copyright claim over the number three.
@YouTube Can you please explain how someone can copyright claim the number 3 and get away with it? pic.twitter.com/HBAWDwIJDz
— LunaIsNow (@Kikzisnow) January 23, 2020
As a result of these claims, the ad revenue from the videos will go to Fullscreen, Inc. until the claims are successfully appealed.
YouTube has long been criticized for the way it allows any company or entity to make a claim on a video, without any prior checks that the entity making the claim actually owns the copyright to the content they’re claiming or striking.
The way YouTube’s system works leaves it open to false claims being made by copyright trolls, causing havoc for YouTubers and often with no repercussion for those making false claims.
MORE: PewDiePie’s last three videos copyright striked by unknown entity AlfDigital