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YouTube 'prankster' sued by In-N-Out Burger YouTube 'prankster' sued by In-N-Out Burger
(about 2 hours later)
A Californian fast-food chain is suing a YouTube videomaker over claims his "prank" films caused "irreparable harm" to two of its restaurants.A Californian fast-food chain is suing a YouTube videomaker over claims his "prank" films caused "irreparable harm" to two of its restaurants.
One incident allegedly involved Cody Roeder telling a customer their meal was "contaminated" and "garbage" while pretending to be the company's chief executive.One incident allegedly involved Cody Roeder telling a customer their meal was "contaminated" and "garbage" while pretending to be the company's chief executive.
In-N-Out Burger is seeking damages of more than $25,000 (£17,660) .In-N-Out Burger is seeking damages of more than $25,000 (£17,660) .
Mr Roeder did not respond to a request for comment.Mr Roeder did not respond to a request for comment.
But a video of the stunts posted to his Trollmunchies channel a fortnight ago has since been removed, along with footage of another practical joke at a Taco Bell restaurant. But a video of the stunts posted to his Trollmunchies channel a fortnight ago has since been made private, along with footage of another practical joke at a Taco Bell restaurant.
In-N-Out Burger is also seeking restraining orders against both Mr Roeder and unidentified members of his film crew.In-N-Out Burger is also seeking restraining orders against both Mr Roeder and unidentified members of his film crew.
The company's lawyer provided a statement to the Orange County Register newspaper in which he accused the team of having been "intentionally disruptive".The company's lawyer provided a statement to the Orange County Register newspaper in which he accused the team of having been "intentionally disruptive".
"These visitors have unfortunately used deceit, fraud, and trespass to their own advantage, and in each instance, they have attempted to humiliate, offend, or otherwise make our customers or associates uncomfortable," added Arnie Wensinger."These visitors have unfortunately used deceit, fraud, and trespass to their own advantage, and in each instance, they have attempted to humiliate, offend, or otherwise make our customers or associates uncomfortable," added Arnie Wensinger.
Arrests and finesArrests and fines
Trollmunchies' YouTube account has more than 627,000 subscribers. And one of its past videos has attracted 12.7 million views. Much of the content contains adverts.Trollmunchies' YouTube account has more than 627,000 subscribers. And one of its past videos has attracted 12.7 million views. Much of the content contains adverts.
Other self-styled pranksters have run into legal problems of their own after making clips for the Google-owned platform:Other self-styled pranksters have run into legal problems of their own after making clips for the Google-owned platform:
The editor of a YouTube-focused news site said that there was competition among some creators to create increasingly shocking content.The editor of a YouTube-focused news site said that there was competition among some creators to create increasingly shocking content.
"It has become a trend to create the most crazy looking video you can. And the pranks themselves have been becoming more and more extreme," TenEighty magazine's Alex Brinnand told the BBC."It has become a trend to create the most crazy looking video you can. And the pranks themselves have been becoming more and more extreme," TenEighty magazine's Alex Brinnand told the BBC.
"And unfortunately it's not as regulated as traditional media and television shows of a similar vein are.""And unfortunately it's not as regulated as traditional media and television shows of a similar vein are."
YouTube bans certain types of video that encourage harmful or dangerous behaviour. In March it also introduced manual checks of clips seeking to be part of a premium advertising programme.YouTube bans certain types of video that encourage harmful or dangerous behaviour. In March it also introduced manual checks of clips seeking to be part of a premium advertising programme.
But Mr Brinnand said more could be done to tackle the most extreme pranks.But Mr Brinnand said more could be done to tackle the most extreme pranks.
"YouTube has always been very reserved about getting involved in specific cases," he said."YouTube has always been very reserved about getting involved in specific cases," he said.
"There have been many cries from the community about videos that have quite clearly violated its guidelines... and yet some are still up.""There have been many cries from the community about videos that have quite clearly violated its guidelines... and yet some are still up."