Technology
Luanti removed from Google Play following AI-generated DMCA notice
The open-source voxel game platform was taken down after a Microsoft brand protection partner alleged Minecraft copyright infringement.
The short version
- The open-source game-creation platform Luanti has been removed from the Google Play Store due to a DMCA copyright infringement notice.
- The notice was filed on behalf of Microsoft by Tracer.AI, a brand protection firm that uses automated AI agents to detect copyright violations.
- Luanti denies the allegations, stating its platform does not contain any proprietary Minecraft code or assets, and has filed a counter-notice to reinstate the app.
Key facts
- Luanti's Android application was removed from the Google Play Store after Tracer.AI, acting on behalf of Microsoft, filed a DMCA copyright notice claiming infringement of Minecraft Java Edition 1.9.[Hacker News]
- The DMCA notice does not specify which exact assets or code within Luanti are allegedly infringing.[Hacker News]
- Luanti is an open-source, non-profit voxel game-creation engine that does not ship with built-in game assets, and the project asserts it contains no proprietary code.[Hacker News]
- This is the second time Tracer.AI has targeted Luanti; a similar DMCA notice in March 2023 resulted in a 46-day removal from Google Play before the app was reinstated following a counter-notice.[Hacker News]
- Tracer.AI utilizes automated AI agents to scan digital platforms, perform brand protection, and execute copyright takedowns.[Hacker News]
- While the Google Play version is offline, Luanti remains accessible on Android through F-Droid and via direct APK installation from its official website.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown how long Google will take to process Luanti's newly submitted counter-notice and whether the app will be reinstated within the standard statutory timeframe of 10 to 14 business days.[Hacker News]