"Collecting $20M in Royalties from YouTube, Using Forged Letters to Falsely Claim They Represented Artists"

MarketWatch (Lukas I. Alpert) reports, based on this indictment (U.S. v. Fernandez). "Prosecutors say [two] men claimed rights to 50,000 Spanish-language songs they didn't own, using the royalty money to buy mansions, fancy cars and jewelry." Shades of Shenanigans (Internet Takedown Edition), though of course different in its details (and its financial payoff). All systems evolve parasites.

Comments

[Illocust]

Hmmm, I'm curious what lead to these guys getting prosecuted. My understanding is that this crime is so prevalent that most YouTubers copyright strike themselves, so even if the fraud occurs they'll be guaranteed at least half their profits.

[Noscitur a sociis]

Perhaps the fact that they stole $20,000,000 played a role?

[John F. Carr]

A good example of how you can't commit just one crime any more. Seems like it should be straightforward wire fraud, end of story. But it's also "Aggravated Identity Theft" (for claiming to be the copyright owners) and money laundering (for having money obtained illegally).

[Rayan]

This is crime and fraud. Just for money, they do false claims.