Bogus copyright claims target WCMU's reporting on UP bitcoin mine, congressional candidate
WCMU Public Media's reporting on a bitcoin mine in Dafter Township, Michigan, connected to congressional candidate Michael Carbonara, was temporarily removed from Google search results due to false copyright claims. The Dafter mine is also facing an ongoing lawsuit from Lake Superior Academy over noise pollution. Separately, Carbonara is connected to Project Tango, a proposed data center in Palm Beach, Florida, which has been paused due to public opposition over noise and environmental concerns.
Recent investigative reporting by WCMU Public Media concerning a bitcoin mine in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula and its connections to Florida congressional candidate Michael Carbonara was briefly removed from Google search results. This removal was a result of false copyright infringement claims filed by unknown entities last week, alleging WCMU's stories were plagiarized. The incident appears to be part of a broader tactic targeting news organizations reporting on Carbonara, with at least four Florida-based outlets experiencing similar takedowns during the early voting period for Florida's primary elections. Karen Post, an attorney who successfully appealed the claim on WCMU's behalf, stated that the claims likely aimed to stifle the reach of articles providing voters with crucial information.
The Dafter Township bitcoin mine, characterized by large metal structures housing supercomputers, is a source of controversy due to noise emissions. It faces an ongoing lawsuit from Lake Superior Academy, which claims the noise disrupts children's learning. Michael Carbonara's name appears in business documents for Odessa LLC, the company owning the land where the mine operates. Despite locals in Dafter Township having no direct contact with Carbonara, official documents confirm his connection to the operation.
Carbonara, running in Florida's 22nd Congressional District, is also linked to "Project Tango," a proposed data center in Palm Beach that has been paused due to significant public opposition over concerns about noise pollution and ecological damage. On the campaign trail, Carbonara has publicly opposed Project Tango, attempting to balance his own data center investments with growing anti-data center sentiment in his district.
Copyright claims against WCMU and other outlets, including WLRN and Florida Politics, were filed by companies like Davenport Enterprises, Foster Enterprises, Reynolds Media Group, and Pendrick Enterprises of the UK. WCMU, represented by Trister, Ross, Schadler & Gold, PLLC, successfully appealed the claims, leading Google to restore the articles. The Michigan Press Association's public policy manager, Lisa McGraw, suggested these tactics are designed to "muck up" journalistic work and distract from important reporting, especially during an election season. The lawsuit against the Dafter Township mine operators remains ongoing, with the next court date scheduled for September 21.