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Kiwibank Issues DMCA Takedowns for Buck Mascot Images

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 4:13 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

Kiwibank issued DMCA takedown notices to remove sexualized images of its mascot Buck.
The takedowns began after @ehukuu posted “I WANT TO FUCK THE KIWIBANK SHEEP” on July 24.
Kiwibank replaced the original Buck haircut gif with a copyright-disabled placeholder.
Bluesky furry accounts such as @vantabats had Buck images removed and posted altered sheep graphics.
Kiwibank said the action protects users from harmful content and prevents IP misuse.

History

Historical Context

In 2007, Viacom sued YouTube, securing a court-ordered injunction that forced the video-sharing site to honor thousands of DMCA takedown requests. The Southern District of New York judge noted Viacom had filed over 1,200 infringement notices, prompting YouTube to implement a formalized Content ID system. Today, Kiwibank and Bluesky are issuing DMCA takedowns against sexualized Buck images after a July 24 post, mirroring Viacom’s strategy to protect brand integrity online. The precedent suggests corporations will increasingly leverage legal mechanisms to curb user-generated content, shaping platform moderation policies and sparking debates over free expression.

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Story summary

Kiwibank issued DMCA takedown notices to remove sexualized images of its mascot Buck.
The takedowns began after @ehukuu posted “I WANT TO FUCK THE KIWIBANK SHEEP” on July 24.
Kiwibank replaced the original Buck haircut gif with a copyright-disabled placeholder.
Bluesky furry accounts such as @vantabats had Buck images removed and posted altered sheep graphics.
Kiwibank said the action protects users from harmful content and prevents IP misuse.

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