This past Tuesday, The Quartering, Jeremy Hambly, published a video making light of VG 24/7’s deputy editor Kirk McKeand over his comments related to the political situation in the United Kingdom involving YouTuber Sargon of Akkad aka Carl Benjamin and his election campaign.
Because of the video, many within McKeand’s circle weren’t happy and decided the appropriate response to criticism was to abuse the copyright strike system employed by YouTube against The Quartering’s channel.
The Quartering documents that Eurogamer writer Paul Watson spoke with Kirk McKeand via Twitter about how they could strike back against Jeremy’s video:
During the conversation between McKeand and Watson, the two openly express their willingness to use the strike system against Jeremy. You can see that interaction below:
Be a shame if he suddenly had a bunch of strikes on his account
— Paul Watson (@walnutsoap) May 22, 2019
Jeremy commented on the pair’s conversation, highlighting the risks both face if they follow through with their threat. Hambly stated, “This won’t end well for you.”
This won’t end well for you. pic.twitter.com/ZkVeZzSrC5
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) May 22, 2019
The Quartering wasn’t the only one to warn Watson and McKeand about the consequences of colluding to copyright strike a YouTube channel. Trin Tong noted Watson was “acting a fool.”
Are you really going to suggest that and think you would not get backfire???
In our Asian culture… You are acting a fool right now.
— TrinTong (@TheTrinTong) May 22, 2019
McKeand appeared to back track after The Quartering noted it wouldn’t end well for him. He indicated he watched the video and actually stated “It’s also very funny.” It’s unclear if he’s referring to the video or the situation he created for himself.
I did watch it. Half of it was spent reading a news post I farted out eight months ago. It’s also very funny.
— Kirk McKeand (@MckKirk) May 22, 2019
Hambly would respond to Watson’s Tweet calling for people to copyright his YouTube channel indicating he was “breaking the law and trying to silence other content creators.”
This guy runs the social media at @eurogamer. It’s very interesting that a website which makes it’s money from creating content would have their employees out there breaking the law and trying to silence other content creators. You better fucking believe this is getting a video pic.twitter.com/UumI5NXqfK
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) May 22, 2019
Watson simply responded, “When senpai finally notices you.”
When senpai finally notices you pic.twitter.com/Mu2NQK4CCW
— Paul Watson (@walnutsoap) May 22, 2019
The situation took another turn when The Quartering reported he had just spoken to a reporter who asked him to “call off the dogs.” He noted this same reporter had called him “‘alt-right’ and transphobic.”
Just spoke to a reporter who asked me to “call off the dogs” to which I replied I do not control people nor do I tell people to harass others. This same reporter openly called me “alt-right” and Transphobic & outright REFUSED to say they really believed that in private. Shocking
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) May 23, 2019
The threat of a YouTube copyright strike is very real, and we’ve seen these strikes actually happen.
One recent example is that of YouTuber Hero Hei. He received a strike from Anime News Network (ANN) over an old Vic Mignogna interview. ANN, as speculated by lawyer Nick Rekieta went after Hero Hei to both dox and damage the finances of the channel.
In another examples, Richard C. Meyer saw his YouTube channel was targeted by comic book professionals who had expressed contempt for him and his videos.
“Game journalists” have also recently shown their hand when discussing how they plan to cover certain projects. Chris Scullion recently threatened to provide negative coverage for the new Earthworm Jim game because he disagrees with Earthworm Jim creator Doug TenNapel’s views.
What do you make of these threats to copyright strike The Quartering?