Dota 2 content creator and highlights editor NoobFromUA recently had some of his YouTube videos removed due to a copyright claim from PGL, an event organizer. NoobFromUA has a large YouTube channel dedicated to Dota 2, with over 750,000 subscribers and more than 600 million views.
The copyright strike happened after the Vici Gaming and Team Secret match at the Dota 2 Asia Championships. All three of NoobFromUA’s highlight videos from the event were taken down.
The claims were based on NoobFromUA’s alleged unauthorized use of PGL’s audio, which includes sound from the casters at DAC, in his highlight videos. PGL owns the rights to the footage and the attached audio. According to Valve’s policies, only videos recorded through DotaTV without visible sponsor logos are allowed, unless the content creator has broadcast rights from the event.
PGL also demanded that NoobFromUA remove all his videos of the Bucharest Major, as they also contained their audio. NoobFromUA tried to negotiate with PGL by offering to include their sponsors in his videos, but PGL did not respond.
This is not the first time NoobFromUA has faced criticism for content theft. Other event organizers, content creators, professional players, and streamers have called him out in the past for using copyrighted footage and monetizing it. NoobFromUA has previously apologized and taken down videos when confronted.
Digital Chaos founder and DotaCinema lead content creator Shannon “SUNSfan” Scotten also criticized NoobFromUA for using Valve-owned footage and monetizing it. However, the video in question is no longer available.