A DMCA takedown notice, allegedly targeting unauthorized Skibidi Toilet content within Garry's Mod, has been issued to Garry Newman, the game's creator. The situation is shrouded in uncertainty, raising questions about the true source and validity of the claim.
The Controversial DMCA
On July 30th, Garry Newman reportedly received a copyright claim demanding the removal of Skibidi Toilet-related Garry's Mod creations. The notice asserted a lack of official licensing for any Skibidi Toilet content within the Garry's Mod ecosystem.
Initially, suspicion fell on Invisible Narratives, the studio behind Skibidi Toilet's film and TV adaptations. However, this has been disputed. A Discord profile seemingly belonging to the Skibidi Toilet creator denied sending the notice, as reported by Dexerto.
The Irony of the Claim
The Skibidi Toilet YouTube series, known for its Gen Alpha meme status, was originally created using assets from Garry's Mod by Alexey Gerasimov's "DaFuq!?Boom!" channel. This ironic twist highlights the core of the controversy: the meme's very existence relies on Garry's Mod assets.
The DMCA notice from an unknown source, claiming copyright ownership of characters like "Titan Cameraman," "Titan Speakerman," "Titan TV Man," and "Skibidi Toilet" on behalf of Invisible Narratives, LLC, adds another layer of complexity. These characters were copyrighted in 2023 under "Titan Cameraman and 3 Other Unpublished Works".
Responses and Counterarguments
Newman publicly shared the DMCA on the s&box Discord server, expressing disbelief. DaFuq!?Boom!, facing speculation, also denied involvement on the s&box Discord, actively seeking contact with Newman to clarify the situation.
While Garry's Mod itself utilizes assets from Valve's Half-Life 2, Valve has authorized its release as a standalone game. This contrasts with the current situation, where the copyright claim appears to target derivative works built upon Garry's Mod itself.
Previous Copyright Disputes
This isn't the first time DaFuq!?Boom! has been involved in copyright disputes. Last September, they issued multiple copyright strikes against GameToons, another YouTube channel creating similar content, eventually reaching an undisclosed settlement.
Uncertain Future
The legitimacy of the DMCA notice remains unclear. The origin of the claim, the validity of the copyright assertions, and the potential consequences for Garry's Mod and the Skibidi Toilet community remain unresolved, highlighting the complexities of copyright in the digital age, especially concerning user-generated content and meme culture.
