On February 10th, Machinima and Collective Digital Studio–two companies that run multi-channel networks on YouTube–shared the details of their respective lawsuits against Freeplay Music, a music licensing service they claim acted as a “copyright troll” on YouTube. Now, Freeplay has launched some suits of its own. It has filed complaints against four MCNs: BroadbandTV, AwesomenessTV, Big Frame, and Maker Studios.
Freeplay Music, founded by composer Scott Schreer, controls a library of 50,000 tracks, which it licenses out to various programs and companies. As The Hollywood Reporter (which first reported Freeplay’s suit) explains, many YouTube videomakers accessed Freeplay’s library through Apple’s DVD Studio Pro and Final Cut Pro editing software.
While this may make it seem as if the tracks are free to use, they still require additional licenses, and that’s where Freeplay’s complaint arises. The company alleges that creators within the four networks it is suing have racked up “rampant infringements,” and Freeplay wants to be properly compensated.
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“Freeplay Music was forced to bring these lawsuits in order to protect its rights, just as any other copyright owner in any other industry would do,” reads a press release from the company. “The systemic misappropriation of its copyrights without authorization has harmed our client. And if this conduct continues unchecked, it will continue to harm Freeplay Music and the hundreds of composers it represents. We seek to right that wrong through this action.”
In total, Freeplay’s complaints cite more than 200 videos across the four networks that it believes have infringed upon its copyrights. According to THR, the company is seeking $150,000 per infringement, so damages could ultimately range in the millions.
