Take-Two Interactive has filed multiple DMCA subpoenas in a US federal court, demanding Microsoft and Discord hand over records that could identify the person behind the recent GTA 6 leak spree.
The filings, lodged with the Southern District of New York on August 20, target the “cyberleek” persona that has been posting gameplay footage and other material from the game in the run-up to its November launch. The leak spree has run for days: gameplay clips, radio menus and a playable PC build appeared ahead of the game’s planned Netflix extended look on August 27.
“The copyrighted material includes but is not limited to audiovisual content, artwork, images, dialogue, or other creative elements.”
Take-Two Interactive filing, Southern District of New York
The subpoenas carry a sworn declaration that their purpose is to identify the alleged infringer or infringers, and that the information will be used only to protect Take-Two’s rights, as first reported by Kotaku.
GTA 6 leak hunt: what the subpoenas ask for
Microsoft has until September 4 to produce “all internal Microsoft business records and investigative records associated with Microsoft’s internal investigation of the ‘cyberleek’ persona” — enough, Take-Two says, to identify the user or users behind it.
Discord faces a broader demand. It must hand over identifying information for every account that communicated in a list of servers, including CYBERLEEK, Ødyssey.gg and a DarkViperAU editors’ server, from June 1 to the present. For each account, Take-Two wants the registration email, login IP addresses, phone number, linked Google or Xbox connections, device identifiers and any GTA-related content in the account’s OneDrive.
What happens next
Both companies have until September 4 to respond; neither has commented publicly. VGC reports the leaker appeared to be sharing the clips in exchange for promotion of a cryptocurrency.
The game’s extended look premieres on Netflix on August 27, with the launch following in November.
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Why has Take-Two subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord?
The DMCA subpoenas ask both companies for account and device records tied to the “cyberleek” persona, the handle behind the recent spate of GTA 6 gameplay leaks. Take-Two says the information will only be used to protect its rights.
Who is the “cyberleek” persona?
An online handle that has been posting GTA 6 gameplay footage and other material in the weeks before the game’s launch, reportedly in exchange for promotion of a cryptocurrency.
What happens if the leaker is identified?
The filings are DMCA subpoenas aimed at unmasking an alleged infringer. Identifying information could be used to bring a copyright case against whoever is behind the leaks.
