{"id":21585426,"url":"https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/legal","last_synced_at":"2026-02-01T20:35:46.604Z","repository":{"id":19393539,"uuid":"22634817","full_name":"cryptopunksnotdead/legal","owner":"cryptopunksnotdead","description":"legal f.a.q. \u0026 updates  ","archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2023-05-09T17:37:31.000Z","size":277,"stargazers_count":4,"open_issues_count":0,"forks_count":0,"subscribers_count":2,"default_branch":"master","last_synced_at":"2025-07-02T06:44:41.001Z","etag":null,"topics":["24px","copyright","dmca","generative","generativeart","pixelart","punks"],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":"","language":null,"has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":"cc0-1.0","status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":"LICENSE.md","code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2014-08-05T07:39:26.000Z","updated_at":"2023-04-29T13:38:01.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":"2025-01-24T15:39:19.684Z","dependency_job_id":null,"html_url":"https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/legal","commit_stats":null,"previous_names":[],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"purl":"pkg:github/cryptopunksnotdead/legal","repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/cryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/cryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/cryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/cryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/cryptopunksnotdead","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/legal/tar.gz/refs/heads/master","sbom_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/cryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal/sbom","scorecard":null,"host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":286080680,"owners_count":28989293,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2026-02-01T18:17:03.387Z","status":"ssl_error","status_checked_at":"2026-02-01T18:16:57.287Z","response_time":56,"last_error":"SSL_read: unexpected eof while reading","robots_txt_status":"success","robots_txt_updated_at":"2025-07-24T06:49:26.215Z","robots_txt_url":"https://github.com/robots.txt","online":false,"can_crawl_api":true,"host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":["24px","copyright","dmca","generative","generativeart","pixelart","punks"],"created_at":"2024-11-24T15:10:40.113Z","updated_at":"2026-02-01T20:35:46.586Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead.png","language":null,"funding_links":[],"categories":[],"sub_categories":[],"readme":"\r\n# (Crypto) Punk's Not Dead Legal F.A.Q. \u0026 Updates\r\n\r\n\r\n**Quick Update (April, 29th 2023)** -   Thanks to Github Support (and the Trust \u0026 Security Team) for [accepting (and publishing) the dmca counter notice](https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/master/2023/04/2023-04-13-morepunks-counternotice.md) \r\nand for restoring the 10 taken-down repos.\r\n\r\n**Quick Update (May, 9th 2023)** - Thanks again to Github Support (and the Trust \u0026 Security Team) for reenabling the .github repo for deletion (that included a single profile/README.md page) to (re)start from scratch at a later time. \r\n\r\n\r\nNote: No news on reddit - nada, zero, zilch - I have to assume that the reddit forum is lost forever (because of \"More Punks\" claiming harassment on my reporting caused by the \"More Punks\" dmca take downs).  I try to update the timeline here over the next weeks...\r\n\r\nOne lesson from the call for help \u0026 support... nobody cares anyway and - what surprise - I am on my own.  Anyways, I keep talking to myself over here...\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n## UNDER ATTACK\r\n\r\n\u003e **[GitHub] Repository unavailable due to DMCA takedown.**\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e This repository is currently disabled due to a DMCA takedown notice.\r\n\u003e We have disabled public access to the repository.\r\n\u003e The notice has been publicly posted.\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e  o o o\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e **This [GitHub] repository has been disabled.**\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e Access to this repository has been disabled by GitHub Staff\r\n\u003e  due to a violation of GitHub's terms of service.\r\n\u003e Contact Support for more information or to request a review of this decision.\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e  o o o\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e  **This [Reddit] community has been banned.**\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e This subreddit was banned due\r\n\u003e to a violation of Reddit's content policy against harassing content.\r\n\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: As far as I can tell this absurdity is all caused (and driven) by\r\n\"More Punks\".\r\nThus, the big question Who's the \"More Punks\" Crypto Bro?.\r\n\r\n[Editor's Note: Github Support requested the removal of the \"Who's the \"More Punks\" Crypto Bro?\" page\r\nsaying  \"it violates our [Doxxing and Invasion of Privacy policy](https://docs.github.com/en/site-policy/acceptable-use-policies/github-doxxing-and-invasion-of-privacy)\" -\r\nthe page only highlighted public information about the \"More Punks\" online presence (OpenSea, etc.) - to stop the absurdity I deleted the page - no questions asked].\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince Febuary 14th, 2023 the (crypto) punk's not dead org (\u0026 repos) are under attack.\r\n\r\nI (Gerald Bauer) am the founder / admin / maintainer of the org\r\nand try to document the abuse and absurdity.\r\n\r\nNote:  I counter-filed to the dcma take-down on February 24th, 2023,\r\nsee [2023-02-24-morepunks-dmca-counter-notice.md](2023-02-24-morepunks-dmca-counter-notice.md)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNote:  I documentend and posted the call to help\r\nfirst to [r/CryptoPunksDev](https://old.reddit.com/r/CryptoPunksDev) (where I am the founder / mod of the subreddit)  and the subreddit got banned (closed-down without notice) on February 28th, 2023  -\r\nI assume for a post where I ask for help, that is, \"Please, Help - Who Is The Crypto Bro (Or Who Are The Buy-Out Investor(s)) Behind the Anonymous (1000) More Punks Operation - Any Tips \u0026 (Inside) Information Welcome\"\r\nBelieve it or not - the anoynmous crypto bro(s) behind \"More Punks\" claim a violation of Reddit's content policy against  harassing content and delete a forum\r\nwith hundreds of posts and a 3-year-history\r\nwithout any notice.  Absurd?\r\n\r\nNote: I sent a ban appeal to r/reddit.com on Feburary 28th, 2023 (and ten days later still waiting... for any sign of help on what's going on).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI document and posted the call for help here on the org readme\r\nvia  [/.github](https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/.github)  and - believe it or not -\r\nthe crypto bro(s) attacker(s)  filed a term-of-service violation\r\nto follow-up on the take down\r\nand now the readme page is \"disabled\" - see [/.github](https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/.github).\r\nAbsurd?\r\n\r\n\r\nI opened a ticket for a review of the term-of-service violation on github on February 23rd, 2023.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSo far zero response via the official support channels\r\nfrom github and reddit\r\nand  no emails (or postal mail)\r\nfrom the lawyer(s) from the crypto bro(s) attacking\r\nor the crypto bro(s) themselves\r\neven github policy states that the first step (even before filing a dmca take down or term-of-service violation)\r\nis asking my humble self first. I am \"doxxed\" and easy to contact.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n### Timeline\r\n\r\nFebruary 14th, 2023 - DMCA Notice Filing\r\n\r\nSee [2023-02-14-morepunks-dmca.md](2023-02-14-morepunks-dmca.md)\r\n\r\n\r\nFebruary 14th, 2023 - GitHub Support DMCA Take Down Emails\r\n\r\nI (Gerald Bauer) get first noticed by email about the dmca take down abuse\r\nby (automated) github support emails.\r\n\r\nSee [2023-02-14-emails-github-support-dmca-takedown.md](2023-02-14-emails-github-support-dmca-takedown.md)\r\n\r\n\r\nFebruary 22nd, 2023  - cryptopunksnotdead/.github Term-Of-Service Violation (And Repo Disabled)\r\n\r\nsee [2023-02-22-emails-github-support-dmca-takedown.md](2023-02-22-emails-github-support-dmca-takedown.md)\r\n\r\nFebruary 23rd, 2023  - Opened Term-Of-Service Review Ticket / Issue on GitHub Support\r\n\r\nsee [2023-02-23-github-support-ticket-tos-review.md](2023-02-23-github-support-ticket-tos-review.md)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFebruary 24th, 2023 - DMCA Counter-Notice Filing\r\n\r\nsee [2023-02-24-morepunks-dmca-counter-notice.md](2023-02-24-morepunks-dmca-counter-notice.md)\r\n\r\n\u003cdetails\u003e\r\n\u003csummary\u003eFull Text (Inline)\u003c/summary\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\nI (Gerald Bauer) filed / submitted an (online) counter notice today (Fri, Feb 24th, 2023) via the GitHub Counter Notice form (service).\r\nFor the record the filing reads:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n**Q: Please describe the nature of your content ownership or authorization to act on the owner's behalf.**\r\n\r\nI (Gerald Bauer) am the founder / maintainer / \"owner\" of the cryptopunksnotdead (Punk's Not Dead) github org\r\nand I am a 50-year old open source code \u0026 data programmer from Austria (near Vienna).\r\nI committed (via git) all content to the punk's not dead repos  (as recorded on github / git in the history / log).\r\n\r\n\r\n**Q: What files were taken down? Please provide URLs for each file, or if the entire repository, the repository’s URL.**\r\n\r\nTen (10) repositories from the cryptopunksnotdead org have been taken down, that is,\r\n\r\n1.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/punks.design\r\n2.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/punks.blocks\r\n3.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/punks.spritesheet\r\n4.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/cryptopunks\r\n5.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/awesome-cryptopunks-bubble\r\n6.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/awesome-24px\r\n7.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/programming-cryptopunks\r\n8.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/lets-go-programming-cryptopunks\r\n9.  https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/punks.black\r\n10. https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead/punks.attributes\r\n\r\nsee https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/master/2023/02/2023-02-14-morepunks.md for\r\nthe take down file for the complete list (incl. forks).\r\n\r\n\r\n**Q: Do you want to make changes to your repository or do you want to dispute the notice?**\r\n\r\nDispute the notice.\r\n\r\n**Q: Is there anything else you think we should know about why you believe the material was removed as a result of a mistake?**\r\n\r\n\r\nFirst there's no copy - the images are all original, that is, they are all new\r\ncomputer-generated (pixel art) images in the tiny 24 by 24 pixel (24x24px) format\r\nby myself (that is, nothing has been copied from opensea.io/collection/morepunks - for example, an official\r\nmore punks \"original\" punk image is 1200x1200px with gray-ish background).\r\n\r\nOne way to see if there's a duplicate (of the images referenced via \"1000 More Punks\" crypto (non-fungible) tokens)\r\nis to generate a hash digest / fingerprint (md5, sha256)\r\nfrom the \"official\" images files and than proof that there are no duplicates / no matching digests / fingerprints.\r\n\r\nMost repos in the take down request / file are awesome readmes, that is,  history notes / documentation\r\nwith images (falling under fair use¹) or programming step-by-step tutorials / guides for learning \u0026 education\r\n(falling under fair use¹).\r\n\r\n¹: even if the asserted / false claim of copyright would be taken into consideration.\r\n\r\nA note about the 24 by 24 pixel (24x24px) size.\r\nIf you take a low-resolution of 300 dpi (dot - that is, pixel - per inch)\r\nyou get a square size of for 24x24px of  0.8 inch by 0.8 inch (or 0.2cm x 0.2cm).\r\n\r\nFor a high-resolution of 600 dpi you get a square size of 0.4 inch by 0.4 inch (or 0.1cm x 0.1cm).\r\n\r\nClaiming the copyright to such tiny computer-genrated images might actually be a fraud\r\n(if you consider that 1000 More Punks is selling token claiming \"ownership\" to the images or such).\r\n\r\nTo add to the absurdity the \"1000 More Punks\" take down filer\r\nhasn't invented the 24x24px pixel head style\r\nand most images such as pixel zombies or pixel alien or pixel humans (male / female)\r\nare copies of other (pixel art) collections\r\nand if the claim holds for \"1000 More Punks\" to \"own\" 24x24 pixel orcs or demons\r\nthan in the same way you can claim that someone \"owns\"\r\nthe copyright to a pixel zombie or alien in 24x24px -\r\nand, thus, the (1000) More Punks collection needs to get taken down.\r\n\r\nTo conclude:\r\nIn the current legal public research / discussion\r\nit is up for debate if you can claim or protect 24x24 (8-bit) pixel art (computer-generated) images\r\nand claiming all rights to all pixel demons, vampires or orcs in 24x24px for all-time by simply - as in this case -\r\nuploading an image as an anonymous (More Punks) user.\r\nIt is questionable and for the court (legal copyright scholars) to decide\r\nand even a fraud (like uploading / minting a solid color (block) to the blockchain and than claiming\r\nto \"own\" the (sole / exclusive) copyright to the color for all sizes and images etc.).\r\n\r\nLet me quote / hightlight two public legal opinions on 24x24 pixel art in the \"punk\" portrait head style:\r\n\r\nIntellectual property attorneys from Los Angeles:\r\n\r\n\u003e In creating the [Matt \u0026 John's®] punks, Larva Labs' [Matt Hall \u0026 John Watkinson]\r\n\u003e established 98 individual graphic elements in 8-bit-style pixel art [in a 24x24 canvas].\r\n\u003e Then they ran a software program to randomly generate the images that would become\r\n\u003e the individual [Matt \u0026 John's®] punks.\r\n\u003e Each punk is just a machine-generated amalgamation of certain individual elements.\r\n\u003e Few, if any, of the individual pixel art elements contain sufficient creative expression\r\n\u003e to qualify as being copyrightable.\r\n\u003e Randomly mixing uncopyrightable elements does not necessarily create copyrightable expression,\r\n\u003e particularly without human involvement.\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e [..]\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e Are Matt \u0026 John's® punks copyrighted [or in the public domain]? It's an open question -\r\n\u003e  one that probably would require a court to decide. [...]\r\n\u003e  Larva/Yuga Labs probably don't want a court making that determination for them.\r\n\r\n\r\nOr the the research paper titled\r\nAre Cryptopunks [that is, Computer-Generated Pixel Art Heads in 24x24px] Copyrightable? [Hint: No]\r\n(PDF Download ~7.5MB), by Brian L. Frye ( University of Kentucky - College of Law), 21-pages (via SSRN)\r\nsee https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4029323\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c/details\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFebruary 28th, 2023  - r/CryptoPunksDev Banned\r\n\r\nFebruary 28th, 2023  - Sent Ban Appeal (r/CryptoPunksDev) to r/Reddit.com\r\n\r\n\r\nSee [2023-02-28-reddit-ban-appeal.md](2023-02-28-reddit-ban-appeal.md)\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cdetails\u003e\r\n\u003csummary\u003eFull Text (Inline)\u003c/summary\u003e\r\n\r\n  I am new to report abuse by anonymous crypto bros followed by a complete ban (without any notice) on r/CryptoPunksDev\r\n\r\n  Today I \"filed\" a Subreddit Ban Appeal  - that is, sending a direct message to r/reddit.com  (that is what the mods on r/modsupport are telling me is the proper channel / way). The text reads:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHello,\r\n\r\nI found out today (February, 28th 2023) by surprise without any notice that r/CryptoPunksDev is blocked / shutdown with \"This community has been banned\" saying:\r\n\r\n\u003e This subreddit was banned due to a violation of Reddit's content\r\n\u003e policy against harassing content.\r\n\u003e\r\n\u003e Banned 3 hours ago.\r\n\r\nI (Gerald Bauer, from Austria with a nine-year club and verified-email user reddit account) am the founder / mod of this r/CryptoPunksDev forum/subreddit on reddit with a 3 year or more history and hundreds of posts.\r\n\r\nNote: The r/CryptoPunksDev is an education initiative to help with warning about crypto fraud / scams (and, thus, some might be unhappy like the anonymous crypto brother filing the harassment report abuse).\r\n\r\nI got hit on the big or little sister site on github (https://github.com/cryptopunksnotdead) with a take down filed by \"More Punks\" about a week ago (and I posted on this reddit for updates) and I counter filed on github on Friday, February 24th last-week with a copy posted on this reddit again for updates).\r\n\r\nAnyways, please help how I can proceed to get the forum unbanned or what steps I can do next or if you need more info. If you think a post is in appropriate, please delete the post (or tell me to delete the post if that is possible).\r\n\r\nThanks you for your understanding and any help. Looking forward to your response.\r\n\r\nGerald Bauer\r\n\r\nPS: The verified email is gerald.bauer @ gmail.com\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nSo far I got - Your message has been delivered.\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c/details\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n## What's News? Any Updates?\r\n\r\nApril 2023\r\n\r\nNo news on reddit  I sent two more \"modmails\" asking for help to unban or any comment or such. Nil. Nada.  See [**reddit.md**](reddit.md).\r\n\r\nOn github:  I got a response to confirm  if I want to get the counter notice processing get started.  I confirmed, please do.\r\nNow I am waiting and waiting... and if I ask or send new info  ... I get we are reviewing your notice ...\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n## Mirrors / Backups\r\n\r\nNote:  A backup mirror of the taken down (crypto) punk's not dead repos is now live @ [**gitlab.com/cryptopunksnotdead**](https://gitlab.com/cryptopunksnotdead).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n## Legal \u0026 Financial (Con-Art) Fraud F.A.Q.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n## Questions? Comments?\r\n\r\nPost them over at the [Help \u0026 Support](https://github.com/geraldb/help) page. Thanks.\r\n\r\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fcryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fcryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fcryptopunksnotdead%2Flegal/lists"}