Caleb Denison, the famous tech reviewer who spent 14 years at Digital Trends, recently departed to start his own YouTube channel, CalebRated.
However, immediately after its launch, Digital Trends filed copyright claims against his new content, leading to the removal of his videos and raising questions about intellectual property rights in the digital age.
Denison had been an important figure at Digital Trends, helping the company's YouTube channel grow to over 1.3 million subscribers. On April 21, 2025, he launched CalebRated, aiming to provide independent tech reviews and guidance. Within only a week of launch, the channel gained over 32,000 subscribers. However, according to Sound & Vision, Digital Trends claimed ownership of the content, stating that Denison registered the channel while still employed and may have used company resources, which led to the removal of his videos by YouTube.
According to Digital Trends, Denison had signed an agreement assigning any inventions or side projects to the company and failed to disclose his plans for CalebRated. They claim that he used company equipment and contacted some advertisers while still employed. Denison, on the other hand, rejected these claims, noting that they were "not rooted in fact" and declined to speak further without legal advice. Further, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support his legal expenses.
This situation has provoked intense discussion among fans and industry professionals. Many criticize Digital Trends for abusing the copyright claim system, stating that such actions could hinder creative freedom and create a dangerous precedent. The incident highlights the complexities surrounding content ownership and the challenges creators face when shifting from corporate platforms to independent ventures.
As the dispute unfolds, it highlights the need for clear norms and fair practices in the digital content creation space, ensuring that creators can pursue their careers without undue difficulty.