Anti-piracy outlet has wrongly been sending take-down requests to Netflix, iTunes and Google Play

ONE anti-piracy outlet has been sending requests to have content removed from online. But it’s making shockingly silly mistakes.

Netflix is the legal alternative ... unless we have had it wrong all. Picture: Alamy

WHEN attempting to shut down piracy websites fails, there is always the option to remove all the content from the entire internet.

At least, this is the approach of overzealous anti-piracy outfit Copyright Universal.

Copyright holders have long been sending take-down requests for infringing content for quite some time, but Copyright Universal is taking things to the next level.

Over the past few weeks, the reporting organisation has sent take-down requests to legal streaming services, Apple, Google, news outlets and a range of other legitimate sources.

A quick look at Google’s Transparency Report shows Copyright Universal has requested 5224 links be removed since May 28.

While many of these are legitimate requests for content infringing copyright, there are a large number that are down right laughable.

As TorrentFreakpointed out, it must also be admitted that the automated process of these take-down requests mean mistakes will occur, but Copyright Universal is more than sloppy with its efforts.

We have had a quick look through the extensive list to bring you some of the stranger take-down requests — although, rest assured there are many, many more.

James Franco and George MacKay in ‘11.22.63’.

STREAMING SERVICES

Netflix is well known as a legitimate source of content users have access to for $9.99 per/month.

While its content changes from country to country, one thing that is syndicated is its original programming.

Unfortunately, Copyright Universal is trying to get some of these programs removed.

Hmmmmm, very strange.

American streaming service Hulu announced last year it was looking to take on Netflix by creating its own original content.

Among the more popular of its titles was 11/22/63 — a show based on Stephen King’s time-travel thriller about the JFK assassination, starring James Franco.

It’s just a shame Copyright UNIVERSAL doesn’t want you to see this show or any other of Hulu’s original content, because it sent a take-down notice for the entire catalogue.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens would be a legitimate request.

NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT SITES

When talking about highly-anticipated movies, Star Wars: The Force Awakens undoubtably made the list.

So, if you found an illegal version of the film offered online, it would definitely be reason for a take-down request.

But, this isn’t enough for Copyright Universal, it does’t want any traces of the film online.

A recent take-down request was sent from the anti-piracy group to Rolling Stone, requesting it remove a story about the first official trailer for the film. Oops.

Let’s move on and look at IMDb — the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.

However, according to the anti-piracy outfit, IMDb should add copyright infringer to its description.

Another of the failed attempts from Copyright Universal was the take-down request of a page for the 2016 movie Phobic.

Actor Robin Williams in scene from film ‘Dead Poets Society’.

ITUNES AND GOOGLE PLAY

Goodnight Mommy is a 2015 thriller, in which twin boys play a dangerous game of make-believe that blurs the line between nightmare and reality.

If this sounds like your type of film, you can legally rent or buy it on iTunes.

Although, you have to make sure you are fast because, you guessed it, Copyright Universal wants it gone.  

Similarly, Deads Poets Society is arguably one of Robin Williams best films.

A great choice to legally rent or purchase from the Google Play Store if you are looking for some quality viewing. But, yep, our friends want this film gone too.

Obviously, these are extreme examples and the group is doing some good.
But, it’s hard not to find these constant requests a joke at best.

Continue the discussion on Twitter @mattydunn11