Danish Man Sentenced for Sharing Nude Scenes from Copyrighted Films on Reddit

A Danish man received a seven-month suspended sentence today for copyright infringement after sharing nude scenes from copyrighted films and television series on the social media platform Reddit.

Between March 2022 and May 2023, the man, known as “KlammereFyr” on Reddit, posted sexually explicit clips featuring over 100 actresses in a subreddit he moderated. The clips were viewed a total of 4.2 million times and the man also shared more than 25 terabytes of copyrighted data. The case was brought forward by campaigners representing affected actors, directors, and producers, leading to the subreddit’s closure in 2023. This ruling highlights growing concerns about the non-consensual distribution of intimate content online.

The prosecution utilized a rarely-used clause in Danish copyright law, with the judge determining that removing the scenes from their original context damaged the artists’ “moral rights.” Actress Andrea Vagn Jensen, whose explicit scenes were shared in the group, previously told Danish broadcaster DR that the posts amounted to “abuse,” emphasizing the distinction between artistic nudity and its unauthorized appearance on platforms like Reddit. You can learn more about copyright law and its protections from the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Following the verdict, Maria Fredenslund, head of The Rights Alliance (TRA), stated the ruling sends an “important” signal “that violations of artists’ rights has consequences.” The case is considered unique in Denmark for its focus on the integrity of an artist’s work, rather than solely economic damage, and could potentially influence future legal actions regarding digital content. For more information on digital rights, see the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Authorities indicated they will continue to monitor and prosecute instances of copyright infringement and violations of artists’ rights.