Fake DMCA Takedowns Used to Extort Independent Artists into Coercive Catalog Deals

Summary

Independent artists face severe extortion where anonymous fake DMCA takedowns remove their work from all streaming platforms, immediately followed by unsolicited offers from entities offering to 'manage and protect' their catalog in exchange for revenue splits. This coercive practice exploits the artist's desperation and lack of legal recourse, causing financial loss and emotional distress. Existing legal frameworks and platform protections are inadequate to prevent this abuse, leaving artists vulnerable to predatory catalog theft.