Korean game publisher Nexon is using the U.S. legal system to address online copyright infringement. The company obtained a DMCA subpoena that req

Discord Disputes DMCA Subpoena, Rejects Role as ‘Anti-Piracy’ Partner

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2024-10-16 14:00:24

Korean game publisher Nexon is using the U.S. legal system to address online copyright infringement. The company obtained a DMCA subpoena that requires Discord to hand over the personal details of suspected pirates. While Discord has shared information in the past, it doesn't plan to cooperate any longer, refusing to play the role of 'anti-piracy police'.

Under U.S. law, rightsholders have an option to identify alleged copyright infringers, without directly having to file a lawsuit.

Instead, they can request a DMCA subpoena. These documents are typically signed by a court clerk and don’t require any judicial oversight. Specifically, they allow rightsholders to obtain the personal details of anonymous alleged infringers through third-party service providers.

Foreign companies are also aware of this discovery ‘shortcut’. For example, Korean game publisher Nexon previously used it to identify people who allegedly shared pirated content, including the games MapleStory and Sudden Attack, through Discord, .