Super Mario Bros. Movie Takes Over Twitter Amidst DMCA Chaos

Sections of this topic

    In this article, we’ll look at the reasons behind the rampant copyright infringement on Twitter as users keep posting the entire Super Mario Bros. movie, exploiting the platform’s lack of moderation.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The entire Super Mario Bros. movie has been uploaded to Twitter multiple times.
    • Lax copyright enforcement on Twitter has allowed these videos to amass millions of views.
    • Longer video uploads, a feature of the Twitter Blue subscription, have made it easier to post full movies.
    • The reduced workforce on Twitter’s trust and safety and compliance teams is likely contributing to the issue.

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie Phenomenon

    It seems as though the Super Mario Bros. movie has taken the internet by storm. 

    Not only has it crossed $1 billion at the global box office, but Twitter users have been repeatedly uploading the entire movie to the platform. 

    Multiple versions of the film have been posted, with some even amassing millions of views before being taken down.

    One particular instance saw a version of the movie uploaded on April 28th, which gained over 9 million views in just two days. 

    Despite Twitter’s eventual removal of the video due to copyright infringement and suspension of the user’s account, the trend shows no sign of slowing down. 

    Other movies, such as Avatar: The Way of Water, have also been uploaded to Twitter in similar ways.

    DMCA and its Role in Online Copyright Enforcement

    The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) plays a crucial role in regulating online content and protecting intellectual property rights. 

    Platforms such as Twitter are required to act within a reasonable amount of time upon receiving a request to remove copyrighted material, in order to avoid liability.

    However, in the case of the Super Mario Bros. movie, the platform’s response has been notably slow, allowing the videos to go viral and accumulate millions of views. 

    This has highlighted the challenges faced by the platform in enforcing copyright laws, and raises questions about the effectiveness of the DMCA in the face of rapidly evolving technology.

    Twitter Blue and its Impact on Copyright Violations

    In December 2022, Twitter introduced a new feature for subscribers of its premium service, Twitter Blue. 

    This allowed users to upload videos up to 60 minutes in length on the website, and up to 10 minutes on iOS and Android.

    While this feature has provided a more engaging experience for users, it has also inadvertently made it easier for copyright violators to post full-length movies on the platform. 

    The Super Mario Bros. movie, for example, was uploaded in two parts – one lasting an hour, and the other half an hour. 

    With the extended video upload limit, users no longer have to resort to uploading movies in two-minute chunks, making it more convenient for them to infringe on copyrights.

    Consequences of Twitter’s Reduced Workforce

    The recent layoffs and resignations at Twitter have left the company’s trust and safety and compliance teams severely understaffed. 

    This has had a significant impact on the platform’s ability to enforce copyright laws and promptly address violations.

    It is likely that the extended time between uploads and account suspensions is a direct result of the reduced workforce. 

    The situation demonstrates the risks associated with operating a major social media platform with a skeleton crew, as it leaves the platform vulnerable to a wide range of issues, including rampant piracy.

    Conclusion

    The ongoing Super Mario Bros. movie fiasco on Twitter serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper moderation and copyright enforcement on online platforms. 

    As the platform grapples with the challenges of addressing these issues in the face of a diminished workforce, it is crucial to recognize the need for a dedicated team and effective measures to tackle such problems. 

    The effectiveness of the DMCA in the modern era is also brought into question, as the rapidly evolving digital landscape poses new challenges for intellectual property protection.