Recent reports from 404 Media reveal a puzzling series of DMCA takedown requests purportedly filed by United Healthcare (UHC) targeting artists and journalists depicting Luigi Mangione, a figure tied to a high-profile incident. These requests, if genuinely from UHC, raise serious legal and ethical questions about copyright misuse.
The takedown notices aim to scrub the internet of fan art, parody merchandise, and depictions of Mangione, including items referencing the phrase “Deny, Defend, Depose.” Such claims seem to hinge on UHC’s purported copyright over stylized elements of its logo, which artists used for parody—a category explicitly protected under U.S. copyright law.
According to DMCA guidelines, copyright owners can request removal of infringing material. However, the system is frequently misused, with internet hosts often complying to avoid liability, even when the claims are baseless. This case exemplifies what tech rights expert Cory Doctorow labels “copyfraud”—a blatant overreach in asserting copyright.
The legal foundation for UHC’s claims is shaky at best. An artist’s depiction of Mangione belongs to the artist, not the company, while Mangione himself could assert limited likeness rights. UHC’s ownership of any depiction of Mangione is laughable, raising questions about the intent behind these notices.
Additionally, independent journalists and platforms like TeePublic have received similar takedown demands, some attributed to third-party trolls impersonating UHC or Mangione’s family. One such request involved an image originally posted on Maryland assemblymember Nino Mangione’s campaign website, further complicating copyright claims.
The broader concern is how easily the DMCA process is weaponized. Copyright trolls exploit the system to silence criticism or erase uncomfortable narratives, relying on providers’ reluctance to challenge even dubious claims. As the U.S. faces increasing threats to journalistic freedom, such misuse of copyright law sets a dangerous precedent for stifling dissent and controlling public discourse.
Whether UHC is directly behind these notices or a victim of impersonation, the situation underscores the urgent need for reform to prevent the abuse of copyright law as a tool for censorship.
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