I have been doing some research to better understand this thing called “the Lumen database,” or DMCA takedown requests sent to Google, Twitter/X, and others. This is a “database” alleged to be run by the Berkman Klein Independent Research Project at Harvard. Supposedly, some type of academic project. Since we recently learned how much money Harvard receives from the federal government, they are “state actors” who should explain and publicly disclose their “research” (which appears to be millions of takedown notices and URLs) sent to the major social media platforms. But, here at CPI, we have a few questions:
- Who is sending all the takedown notices
- Do these takedown notices get sent to the alleged copyright infringer so as to put them on notice and give them a chance to stop infringing conduct (ex. on torrents)?
- Why is the public not allowed access? I asked for access, explaining how I am a copyright and IP platform, and they denied me access? Why?
- They state their project is about transparency, but where would we find this transparency?
At CPI we are requesting full disclosure and to allow the public to know how public funds are being spent.
Continue Reading What is the Lumen DMCA database? Time for transparency
