As a content creator, your hard work – hours of filming, editing, and storytelling – builds not just your brand but your livelihood. However, a new form of copyright infringement, which I call the Snip-and-Steal Scam, is targeting creators.
These copyright infringers take your viral, long-format videos from platforms like YouTube, snip them into reels or shorts, and repurpose them for ad revenue or to sell courses.
They claim their edits are “transformative” under fair use, but in my view, they’re stealing substantial portions of your work with minimal changes, profiting off your creativity without permission.
This isn’t fair use, it’s exploitation.
In this blog post, I’ll break down this rising issue, share my personal experience with copyright infringer, British-national Mr. Adam El-Megrisi, who runs VidBrew and Social Moguls LTD, and provide actionable steps to protect your content.
⚖️ Update 1:: Adam is trying to get this blog post taken down!
⚖️ Update 2: Legal action taken – we won! Full details at the end of this post.
What is the Snip-and-Steal Scam?
Snip-and-Steal Scams occur when someone takes your original content, say, a 10-minute YouTube vlog, and repurposes it into short-form content, like 30-second YouTube Shorts or TikTok reels, with minimal edits.
They might add a basic voiceover, slap on subtitles, or make minor cuts, but the core of the video – your story, visuals, voice, and even your likeness – remains unchanged.
These infringers then monetise the content through platform ad revenue or use it to promote for-profit ventures, like online courses.
They often defend their actions by claiming the work is “transformative” under fair use laws, such as those outlined in Section 52 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, or the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
However, fair use requires significant alteration in purpose, expression, or meaning, and the use must not harm the original creator’s market.
When someone copies substantial portions of your video (both quantitatively and qualitatively) without adding meaningful new value, and profits from it, it’s not transformative—it’s infringement.
In my case, the infringer’s edits were so minor that my voice, face, and narrative were still the heart of the “transformed” reels.
This practice is particularly insidious because short-form content is a goldmine for views. Infringers exploit platforms’ algorithms to rack up millions of views, siphoning revenue and goodwill that rightfully belong to you.
Worse, their channels are often built entirely on unauthorised content, making their business model a deliberate attack on creators’ rights.
My Experience: Adam El-Megrisi’s copyright infringement scheme
Let me share my story to illustrate how this works.
I’m Karl Rock, a travel vlogger with over 3.1 million YouTube subscribers and 1.16 billion views, known for showcasing India’s culture and exposing scams worldwide.
On May 8, 2025, I discovered that Adam El-Megrisi (a.k.a. Adam Almegrisi, Adam Elmegrisi, Adam Megrisi, Adam Al-Megrisi), who runs the YouTube and TikTok channel VidBrew from the UK, had infringed three of my videos.
He repurposed them into YouTube Shorts, adding a simple voiceover and subtitles, but kept my footage, voice, and story intact.
Three shorts alone amassed over 1.4 million views, contributing to VidBrew’s 6.65 million total views and 32,500 subscribers on YouTube – numbers built largely on what I consider unauthorised content.
His TikTok bio brags, “Learn how to make Thousand$ like me 💰,” revealing his intent to profit off others’ work. This isn’t a one-off mistake, it’s a calculated business model.
Here’s the $30 business model Adam Megrisi is promoting and using:
Under Section 51 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, this unauthorised reproduction and monetisation of my copyrighted vlogs (protected as cinematograph films under Section 2(f)) is blatant infringement, causing me commercial harm and undermining my painstaking efforts.
Infringers often operate multiple YouTube channels, each focused on a different niche.
For instance, Adam El-Megrisi also manages the channels KopsnKarens and Clip Buck. This is evident because he lists the same email address publicly – thestoryexplained0@gmail.com – in the descriptions of these channels.
Mr. El-Megrisi’s UK Companies
A search of the UK Companies House shows that Mr. El-Megrisi has registered two companies, Social Moguls LTD (16573552) and Trivela LTD (14992334).
What I Did to Fight Back
Here’s how I tackled this infringement, and why the process is tougher than it should be:
- Filed Copyright Strikes: On May 8 and 9, 2025, I submitted DMCA takedown requests to YouTube for each of VidBrew’s three infringing shorts. YouTube removed them temporarily, as is standard practice.
- Faced a Counter-Notification: On May 15, 2025, YouTube informed me that El-Megrisi had filed a counter-notification, claiming his shorts were “transformative” with “original voiceover narration” and “custom titles.” My counsel reviewed the videos and found this claim baseless—my likeness, voice, and story dominated, with no meaningful transformation. We sent a detailed rebuttal to YouTube on May 19, 2025, explaining why this wasn’t fair use.
- Sent a Cease & Desist Notice: On the same day, my lawyer issued a Cease & Desist notice to El-Megrisi, demanding he remove the infringing content. We copied YouTube’s U.S. and India offices (Google LLC), but El-Megrisi didn’t respond.
- Hit a Roadblock: YouTube’s policy requires creators to file a lawsuit within 10 business days of a counter-notification, including court-stamped evidence, to keep infringing content offline. This timeline is nearly impossible. Preparing a case takes weeks—gathering evidence, drafting pleadings, and coordinating with counsel. By May 30, 2025, YouTube reinstated the videos because I couldn’t file in time.
- Prepared for Round Two: Undeterred, we finalised the lawsuit ready to file when needed. Before we could submit new copyright strikes, El-Megrisi set the videos to private (not deleted), meaning he could republish them anytime. If he does, I’m ready to strike again and file the case to permanently remove the content.
This ordeal highlights a broken system. YouTube’s 10-day window forces creators into a race against time, while infringers like VidBrew can exploit loopholes with minimal effort. Platforms must do better to protect creators.
How to Protect Your Content
If you’re a creator facing infringing “transformations”, here’s how to fight back, based on my experience and the legal framework:
- Have a Lawyer Ready: Copyright disputes escalate quickly. Retain a lawyer familiar with intellectual property law to act swiftly when needed.
- Document the Infringement: Document everything! Download the infringing videos and screenshot the video page
- File Copyright Strikes Across Platforms: Submit takedown requests on every platform where your content has been uploaded (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc.).
- Monitor for Counter-Notifications: If the infringer counters your strike (as El-Megrisi did), platforms like YouTube will notify you and may reinstate the content unless you act. Review their claims carefully—most Snip-and-Steal defenses don’t hold up under scrutiny.
- File a Lawsuit Within 10 Days (If Possible): If the infringer counters, YouTube requires a court-stamped lawsuit naming the specific URLs to keep the content down. Email this to YouTube within 10 business days. My case shows this timeline is brutal, so start preparing immediately.
- Prepare for a Second Strike: If you miss the 10-day window, don’t give up. Finalize your lawsuit, then file a new copyright strike, targeting a different timestamp in the infringing content to avoid duplication. Once filed, submit court evidence to YouTube to ensure permanent removal.
- Send a Cease & Desist Notice: Before or alongside strikes, have your lawyer send a C&D notice to the infringer, as I did on May 19, 2025. This establishes your claim and may deter further infringement, though don’t expect a response from bad actors like VidBrew.
- Push for Platform Accountability: My lawsuit demands that YouTube (Google LLC) stop forcing creators to file lawsuits for clear-cut infringement cases and establish a fairer redressal mechanism. Advocate for policy changes by sharing your story publicly.
These steps require persistence and resources, but they’re critical to protecting your rights. My case, under Sections 14, 51, and 55 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, seeks a permanent injunction, damages, and profit accounting to hold VidBrew and YouTube accountable.
Why Does This Matter?
Snip-and-Steal Scams aren’t just a personal loss – they’re a threat to the creator economy.
When infringers like VidBrew profit off your work, they dilute your brand, divert your revenue, and discourage innovation.
Platforms like YouTube, while hosting our content, often prioritize procedural hurdles over creator rights, as seen in my case’s 10-day filing requirement.
If unchecked, this practice will embolden more infringers, eroding the trust creators place in these platforms.
By fighting back, you’re not just protecting your work – you’re setting a precedent for others.
My 793 videos, built over years of travel and storytelling, represent India’s beauty and my livelihood. I won’t let copyright infringers exploit that, and neither should you.
Update: Trying to get this blog post taken down
Adam El-Megrisi has tried to take this post down using supposed “lawyers,” including a person calling himself “Elliot” from the United States. The emails are generic and originate from Pakistan, not the U.S., raising serious questions about their legitimacy.
Adam’s brother, Idris El-Megrisi, is publicly listed as a director of EliteBNB LTD, a UK company. He holds an LLB and has studied at De Montfort University and Oxford Brookes University. Given the family connection and his legal background, I suspect he may have assisted with or advised on these communications. However, I have no direct evidence of his involvement, and this remains my personal opinion based on the timing, language of the notices, and available public information. I welcome any clarification from those involved.
Takedown demand email #1 from “Elliot”
From: Elliot <marelliotsabrinabranded@gmail.com>
Subject: Urgent Takedown RequestDear Support Team,
I am contacting you as the authorized legal representative of my client. Please review the content available at the following link(s):
blog.karlrock.com/snip-and-steal-youtube-scam/
The material contains false, misleading, and defamatory information, which is causing serious harm to my client’s personal and professional reputation. (As an indication: Even a key professional line of my client’s profile has been adversely affected by this misleading content.)
This publication violates your platform’s policies regarding harmful, unverified, and reputation-damaging material. It misrepresents facts, spreads misinformation, and poses a direct threat to my client’s credibility.
Given the severity of the issue, I respectfully request the immediate removal of this content to prevent further damage.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Sincerely,
Elliot
Contact:# +1 (559) 547-0573
USA
Takedown demand email #2 from “Bilal”
From: Bilal Ahmad <bilalahmadahmadani@gmail.com>
Subject: Request for Immediate Removal/Disable of LinkI hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally request the removal or disabling of the following webpage:Snip and Steal YouTube Scam: How Thieves Profit from Your Videos & What To Do
URL: blog.karlrock.com/snip-and-steal-youtube-scam/
This request is made due to the fact that the content of this blog post includes material, references, or specific information that may be defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially harmful in relation to individuals and entities mentioned therein.
For reasons of reputation preservation and accuracy, I ask that you kindly remove or unpublish this link from your platform or public access.
I believe that removal of this content is in the best interest of all parties and will mitigate any potential misunderstanding or harm.
Please confirm once the link has been disabled, or if further information is required to process this request.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
My lawyer responded requesting proof of authority and clarification of the alleged issues. No response was received. In the absence of any substantiation, the takedown requests appears to be made in bad faith.
Big update! I took legal action & WON!
After some time, Mr. El-Megrisi re-enabled the infringing videos on his YouTube channel. So, my lawyer took the next step and filed a case to have the videos permanently removed and damages paid.
On November 3, the Hon’ble Judge heard our case, watched both my original videos and Mr. El-Megrisi’s videos, and agreed with our submissions (drafted by Advocate Arvind Gopal) regarding passing off, personality rights, and our argument that this issue went far beyond simple plagiarism.
As a result, the Hon’ble Court has granted:
- an injunction ordering the take down of the infringing videos and the entire channel from YouTube,
- prevent re-registration or operation of further channels by Mr. Adam El-Megrisi, and
- preserve all relevant account and monetisation records, including registration details, IP logs, upload history and AdSense identifiers, as the same will be required to be produced before the Hon’ble Court.
But wait, it gets even better!
On 13 May 2026, the Hon’ble Court found merit in my grievance that the Google entities had failed to properly enforce their own policies regarding repeat infringers, reused content, and account termination – effectively allowing the infringement to continue.
As a result, the Hon’ble Judge made the injunction permanent and awarded me ₹500,000 INR in compensatory damages, along with ₹200,000 towards litigation costs.
We intentionally sought a realistic amount – first, to increase the likelihood that it would actually be paid, and second, to send a clear warning to other offenders that this issue is real and can have legal consequences.
If you need a lawyer to assist you in a case like this then contact me.
A question for you…
Have you ever had your content repurposed as part of a snip-and-steal scam?
Share your story in the comments, or just drop a thank you.
