Seng (2015b)
Contents
Source Details
Seng (2015b) | |
Title: | "Who Watches the Watchmen": An Empirical Analysis of the Reasons for Rejecting Copyright Takedown Notices |
Author(s): | Seng, D. |
Year: | 2015 |
Citation: | Seng, D.K.B (2015). Who Watches the Watchmen": An Empirical Analysis of the Reasons for Rejecting Copyright Takedown Notices. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3687861 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3687861 |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | Original dataset comprises about 60 million (N0 = 59,033,579) takedown requests submitted between 2011 and 2012, collected from the Chilling Effects repository (Lumen) and Google Transparent Report. A classification-based model is developed to classify each request according to their attributes, characteristics or features. Based on these attributes - explanatory or independent variables - the model has the objective of evaluating the influence of each of these attributes to the acceptance or rejection of a takedown request. |
Data Type: | Secondary data |
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Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
“In “Copyrighting Copywrongs”, the scope and extent of mistakes made in compliance with DMCA formalities when reporters issued take-down notices was examined. In this paper, there is a further examination of the actions taken by the Internet intermediaries in response to these take-downs. The Internet intermediary selected for this analysis is Google, Inc., because it is the largest intermediary and accounts for the largest number of take-down notices received. But because the actual mechanisms for Google’s processing of take-down notices is not publicly accessible, an accurate statistical model based on 21.8 million take-down requests (a notice can have multiple requests) received between 2011 and 2014 is instead built to approximate Google’s automated processing mechanisms. One would have expected Google’s mechanisms to adhere to the DMCA formalities rules strictly. The analysis confirms some correct implementations, such as the fact that submitting a complaint which lacks a description of the title of the allegedly infringed copyrighted work significantly increases the odds that the request will be rejected. However, it also yields some counterfactual, such as the fact that submitting a take-down complaint which lacks any description (including the title) of the copyrighted work improves by up to 40 times the rate of a successful take-down request. Also, Google’s processes do not appear to check if the URL in the take-down request is valid. The analysis also shows that notwithstanding Google’s implementation of the Trusted Copyright Removal Program (TCRP) to improve the quality of take-down complaints sent by reporters, some TCRP senders have a very poor track record of sending successful take-down requests. This is the first empirical confirmation of the lack of oversight under the DMCA over Internet intermediaries and their response to take-down notices. To address this very serious issue that would undermine the role of intermediaries as the watchmen of the Internet, this paper advances proposals that would disrupt the strategic behavior exhibited by the intermediaries to re-balance the positions taken by intermediaries and right-holders.”
Main Results of the Study
The study suggests that:
1. Even though Google system for processing takedown requests is heading in the right direction, it was not designed to completely comply with the DMCA formalities. For example, the research findings show that the lack of any description about the copyright work in the takedown request decreases significantly the probability of this request being rejected. In practice, except for the title of the work, it can be better for the complaining parties to not include a description of the infringed work in their requests, even though the DMCA do require that takedown notices provide this information.
2. A significant number of Trusted Copyright Removal Program (TCRP) members has a better chance to have success in their takedown request than non-TCRP members by Google. However, it is important to note that some TCRP members have a poor rate of successful takedown requests.
3. It seems that Google system does not check whether the URL in the takedown request is valid for its approval or rejection. 4. Copyright infringement claims involving computer programs and video games are more likely to be rejected when compared to other works, such as literary works, visual arts, performing arts and motion pictures.
5. Overall, there is a lack of oversight under the DMCA over Internet service providers and their response to takedown notices.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
From a policy perspective, the author suggests that legally requiring that Internet service providers provide a justification for rejecting a takedown request to the reporter may be an option to ensure more accountability and transparency among these service providers. One possibility is to extend the requirement already provided for in Section 512(c)(3)(B)(ii) of the DMCA including this obligation. The author also proposes that the service provider should not be liable for any claim based on its notification of the reason for rejecting a takedown request in good faith.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 21,546,901 |
Level of aggregation: | takedown requests |
Period of material under study: | 2011-2012 |
Sample size: | 21,546,901 |
Level of aggregation: | takedown requests |
Period of material under study: | 2011-2012 |