GoKawiilPhotopea developer says GitHub denied DMCA takedown of cracked, ad-free clones
The creator of browser-based editor Photopea reports that AI tools are being used to strip JavaScript code from the site, remove ads, and republish it as standalone repositories on GitHub. After filing a DMCA notice on September 4, 2026, the developer received a response a month later stating GitHub could not confirm a violation of 17 U.S. Code ยง 1201, and is now asking the HN community for advice, including whether to pursue legal action.