Machinima, Collective Digital Studio Sue “Copyright Troll” Freeplay Music

Two of the biggest multi-channel networks on YouTube are both taking legal action against a company they believe has misled YouTube content creators. Machinima and Collective Digital Studio have filed federal lawsuits against Freeplay Music.

As Deadline explains, Freeplay works with creators by providing them with background music for their videos. The suit alleges that Freeplay Music initially tells creators this music is free, but then slams them with “license fees” after they have already inserted the music into their videos. Freeplay–through a related company called TuneSat–then allegedly goes beyond YouTube’s ContentID system by threatening legal action against creators should they not comply with the pricey demands.

Machinima’s suit sums up this process as “a ‘bait and switch’ followed by extortion.” The two companies termed Freeplay a “copyright troll,” and through their legal action, they will look protect their creative partners from these shady practices.

“Both Machinima and Collective Digital Studio are honored to be a part of a vibrant and new creative community that produces incredible content and shares it with the world,” a spokesperson for the two companies told Deadline. “We take our commitment to that community, both to the creators and the legitimate rights holders out there, very seriously. When unscrupulous parties refuse to play by the rules and seek to take advantage of creators, we have and will fight for the community’s ability to entertain audiences. Beyond this sentiment, we will not be commenting on this pending litigation.”

Beyond this suit, Collective DS is also involved in a legal battle with one of its own creative partners. In December, Dane Boedigheimer, who is best known as the creator of The Annoying Orange, ordered the network to arbitration in order to claim what he alleges are unpaid profits he is owed.

For creators looking for an alternative to Freeplay Music, YouTube offers a collection of free music tracks through its in-house YouTube Audio Library.