DANNY DE HEK

It never starts with a bang. It starts with a strike.

I’ve lost count of how many copyright strikes I’ve received over the years. Some came from scam companies. Others came from desperate MLM leaders who thought removing my videos would silence the truth. But here’s the thing: they all failed — every single one of them.

Except the very first one. Back then, I didn’t fully understand the power of fair use. I didn’t know that the law actually protected my right to use portions of publicly available content — for commentary, criticism, education, and investigative reporting. Now? Fair use is my golden key, and I use it to unlock every door they try to slam shut in my face.

And lately, it’s happening again. The Nueva MLM — a rebranded scheme launched by former Modere distributors — is already playing dirty. Within days of public scrutiny, they began targeting creators like Julie Anderson with copyright takedowns. Her video, titled “Watch This Before Joining NUEVA,” was hit with a strike even though it clearly qualified as fair use. It was commentary. It was criticism. And it was protected.

These copyright abusers don’t care about the law. They’re not filing claims because their content is stolen. They’re filing them to shut people up. It’s digital censorship, plain and simple. And in doing so, they’re not just violating YouTube’s Terms of Service — they’re committing perjury under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.

That’s right. Filing a false copyright claim isn’t just shady — it’s a federal offence. And YouTube knows this.

What Happens When You Fight Back

When you receive a copyright strike, it feels personal. Your video disappears. You lose features. And you’re forced into a holding pattern.

But here’s what they don’t tell you: you can fight back, and you can win.

To challenge a false copyright strike, you file a counter-notification. In that form, you explain:

  1. That your content is protected by fair use.
  2. That you have a good faith belief the takedown was submitted in error.
  3. That you’re willing to stand up in federal court, under penalty of perjury, to defend your right to publish it.

And that last part? It’s the game changer.

“I hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court… and I will accept service of process from the claimant.”

That sentence tells YouTube you’re not bluffing. You’re not just clicking buttons. You’re calling their bluff — and they know most scammers won’t risk a real lawsuit over a bad MLM promo video.

The moment you submit it, YouTube notifies the claimant. Then begins the waiting game. 10 to 12 business days. That’s how long they have to file a lawsuit against you. If they don’t? Your video comes back. The strike disappears. You win.

And I’ve won every time. Every single counter-notification I’ve submitted has resulted in a full reversal — because truth is always protected. Fair use is the legal shield, and it works if you know how to wield it.

Real Examples of False Copyright Strikes

These are real strike notices I’ve received:

Each one of these strikes was fought with evidence, fair use arguments, and my firm commitment to stand up in federal court if necessary. And I won.

The Real Cost of Abusing Copyright Strikes

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Filing fake copyright claims is abuse, and YouTube has terminated accounts for it.

  • In 2019, a user named Christopher Brady used copyright to extort creators — and YouTube sued him.
  • In 2021, a creator known as Musical Creator had their channel deleted after filing a takedown YouTube flagged as fraudulent.
  • Even controversial creators like Onision and Twitch streamer Alinity have faced platform backlash for trying to silence critics via copyright tools.

These aren’t isolated incidents. YouTube has gone on record stating:

“We take abuse of the copyright removal process very seriously… and we regularly terminate the accounts of those that misuse it.”

So when Nueva or any other scam tries to silence whistleblowers with copyright abuse, they’re playing with fire. Because the minute someone like me files a counter — and dares them to take it to court — they vanish.

They know their claims won’t hold up. They know their products are built on sand. And they know that in a real courtroom, the truth has consequences.

Final Warning to Copyright Bullies

To the scammers reading this, let me say it clearly:

If you file a false copyright claim against me, I will fight it. I will win. And I will document everything.

And if you push it to court? I’ll show up. With evidence. With witnesses. With a long trail of fraud tied to your name.

Because that’s what I do. I’m The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, and I don’t just expose scammers — I outlast them.

So go ahead. File your claim.
Just know that when you do, you’re leaving a digital fingerprint. One YouTube, the public, and the courts can trace right back to you.

About the Author Danny de Hek, also known as The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, is a New Zealand-based investigative journalist specializing in exposing crypto fraud, Ponzi schemes, and MLM scams. His work has been featured by Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Guardian Australia, ABC News Australia, and other international outlets.

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