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Online game firm Activision is suing music critic Anthony Fantano, accusing him of “misusing” mental property legal guidelines on TikTok. In 2021, Fantano created a viral audio clip (“that’s sufficient slices“), and Activision claims he’s demanding sure social media customers pay him “extortionate” settlements after they re-use the clip.
In a submitting (and as reported by Billboard), Activision says it acquired a menace from Fantano after they used the clip to advertise its Crash Bandicoot franchise. Activision additionally claims Fantano deliberately made the clip accessible in TikTok’s audio library, which implies he can’t sue customers who additionally use it.
“This dispute is a textbook instance of how mental property legislation may be misused by people to leverage unfair money funds,” Activision’s attorneys write. “Fantano was very joyful to obtain the good thing about the general public use of the Slices Video. It was solely after he recognized a monetary alternative — particularly, receiving unjustified settlement funds — that he all of a sudden determined that his consent was restricted.” They add: “The legislation doesn’t allow, and the courtroom shouldn’t countenance, such overt gamesmanship.”
Activision additionally say of their lawsuit that Fantano “intentionally and knowingly” added the audio to TikTok’s library and opted into the “Industrial Sounds” library, which implies he’d bear in mind that his clip may very well be utilized in model movies. In the meantime, Activision says they agreed to drag the clip, however that Fantano requested that the corporate “both instantly pay him substantial financial damages or be ready to defend a lawsuit.” The quantity Fantano requested for is reportedly within the six figures.
“With Fantano’s approval and encouragement, tons of of 1000’s of TikTok customers have integrated the Slices Audio into their very own movies over the previous two years,” the corporate’s attorneys write. “However now … Fantano has launched into a scheme whereby he selectively threatens to sue sure customers of the Slices Audio until they pay him extortionate quantities of cash for his or her alleged use.”
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