Warner Bros. threatens to destroy a YouTube channel because of its videos and mods for Mortal Kombat 1

A Mortal Kombat YouTuber and modder accuses Warner Bros. of threatening to “destroy” his YouTube channel.

In a lengthy statement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, ToastedShoes – an Australian YouTuber with 800,000 subscribers and 1.7 million followers on TikTok – claims he received an “intellectual property infringement notice” directly from Warner Bros, demanding that he “take down all Mortal Kombat 1 videos from [his] channel or else”.

“This morning I received a copyright infringement notice directly from Warner Brothers stating that the Mortal Kombat mods in my content 'infringe' on their intellectual property rights,” Toasted said. “I have been told to delete all Mortal Kombat 1 videos from my channel or they will issue copyright strikes and essentially delete my channel entirely.”

“For over six months, Warner Brothers has had no problems with people modifying the game and [Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat’s creator] himself has shared countless mod videos and clips praising them. My mod clips have over a billion views across all platforms, which has allowed me to raise awareness for the game and continue to support the development team I work with.

“My team of modders work with me on both a part-time and full-time basis and the income from these videos pays their wages.

“I have no way of contacting Warner Brothers or asking what exactly they believe is infringing on their copyright. Also, I seem to be the only content creator I know of who has received a cease and desist letter from Warner Brothers,” Toasted added, before confirming that he had no choice but to “remove all videos from his channel” as a result.

Discussing the issues with his X followers, Toasted further expressed regret over the decision, saying there are clips of the mods – and by extension, the games they are used in – with over 50 million views.

“If anything, it would make people want to play the game even more, wouldn't it?” Toasted added. “A lot of people have responded to me saying they are ONLY getting the game for the mods.”

In an email to Eurogamer, ToastedShoes said he had “not heard anything from Warner Bros. or NetherRealm regarding the cease and desist letter” and, as far as he knew, he was “still the only developer targeted.”

Warner Bros. has not yet responded to our request for comment, but we will let you know if we receive a response.