Tell HN: GitHub refuses to remove cracked copies of my software after a month
564 points by IvanK_net 7 days ago | 341 comments
tl;dr: The developer of Photopea, a browser-based photo editor, reports that users are stripping ads from his JavaScript code and republishing it on GitHub as their own projects, causing reputation damage when users confuse the clones with the original. He filed a DMCA takedown a month ago, but GitHub rejected it citing no violation of 17 U.S.C. § 1201 (anti-circumvention), likely via an automated response. He's asking HN whether to pursue legal action.
HN Discussion:
  • ~The DMCA was likely filed under the wrong statute, so GitHub's rejection was procedurally correct
  • ↑Hire an IP lawyer specializing in this area to pursue takedowns properly
  • ~Add technical countermeasures like domain-detection heuristics to deter clones
  • •GitHub employee asking for details to help investigate the specific filing
  • ↑This problem will worsen as LLMs can legally reproduce software, requiring political/legal reform