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.
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Time Warner Cable
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Universal Music Group
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Knowledge Matters and Martin Penny
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Church of Scientology
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Don Henley, Glenn Frey (members of The Eagles)
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Gordon Klingenschmitt
Other Honorees
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CBS News Censors McCain Ad During Heated Presidential Campaign
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Shock Jock Attacks Critics With Bogus Suit
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Cowboy Group Tries to Censor Animal Welfare Nonprofit
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Paranormalist Claims Three-Second Copyright in Attempt to Censor Critical Video
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Music Publisher Silences Scores of Videos in Spat with YouTube
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Diebold Tries to Wipe Out Discussion of E-Voting Flaws
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Car Expo Attempts to Silence Community Protest
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Retailer Tries to Censor "Photoshop Disaster" Advertisement
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Dervaes Institute Claims Ownership of Phrase "Urban Homesteading"
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The Raspberry Beret Lifetime Aggrievement Award
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Blogger and Pageant Operators Try to Block Advocacy Non-Profit Ad
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Music Publisher Claims Copyright on the Public Domain's "This Land is Your Land"
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Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Silence Critical YouTube Clip
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News Agency With Dubious Copyright Claim Threatens Removal
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Energy Company Rages Against Activist's Comedic Spoof
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Homeland Insecurity Through Bogus Takedowns
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Crude Copyright Complaints To Silence an Oil Company Satire
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Real Estate Developers Censor Community Critic's Website
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Ulrich Schwanitz - Penrose Triangle - 3D Design Takedown
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Broadcast Company Tries to Manipulate Copyright to Avoid Criticism
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Prince Tries to Bury "Dancing Baby" Clip
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Diamond Conglomerate Attempts to Silence Critical Parody
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NBC Issues Takedown on Viral Obama Ad
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The Most Litigious Dessert in America
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Music Publisher Tries to Muzzle Podcast Criticizing Akon
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Yahoo Tries to Hide Snoop Service Price List
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NPR Forces Takedown of Political Ad Weeks Before Critical Vote
Learn More
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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.






eff.org/nsa-spying
