Crimes that YouTubers got away with

Hey there!

It’s Mike, your favorite internet lawyer, with another legal crash course. 

Today, we're exposing the wild crimes YouTubers committed on camera that somehow flew under the radar.

Let’s get into it...

Crimes YouTubers got away with

YouTuber drama is nothing new. But what happens when their antics cross the line into illegal territory?

Here are three insane cases of YouTubers who technically broke the law... and got away with it.

1. MrBeast's Illegal Shot

MrBeast is no stranger to jaw-dropping stunts. But in one of his biggest videos - racking up 1.4 billion views - he unknowingly violated French copyright law.

What happened? In the video, a contestant was challenged to fly to Paris and bring back a baguette. Harmless, right? The problem is that the final shot shows the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

Why is that a big deal?

• France has a unique copyright law that protects the Eiffel Tower’s lighting design. While the structure itself is public domain, the lights added in 1985 are still copyrighted.

• Using footage of the illuminated tower for commercial purposes (like a monetized YouTube video) technically violates French copyright law.

The penalty? A potential fine of up to €300,000 and three years in prison.

Fortunately for MrBeast, the French authorities rarely enforce this rule. If they did, MrBeast would likely get a simple cease-and-desist letter instead of a courtroom showdown.

2. Marques Brownlee’s Speeding Slip-Up

Marques Brownlee (aka MKBHD), one of the biggest tech YouTubers, is known for crisp reviews of the latest gadgets. But in a now-deleted video, fans caught something unexpected: his speedometer showing 96 mph in a 35 mph zone.

His team tried to blur the speedometer, but they forgot about two other dashboard displays still visible in the clip.

Under New Jersey law, exceeding the speed limit by 35+ mph qualifies as reckless driving, with penalties including:

• Up to 60 days in jail

• A fine of up to $200

• Points on his driver’s license

He quickly deleted the footage and issued an apology, but that didn’t stop fans from debating whether he should’ve faced consequences.

3. IShowSpeed’s Global Ban

IShowSpeed has built a reputation for his wild, unpredictable livestreams. But during a chaotic world tour in 2024, he may have unknowingly violated immigration laws.

The issue? Streaming in New Zealand on a tourist visa.

• Tourist visas typically don’t allow visitors to earn money while in the country.

• Speed streamed multiple times from New Zealand, potentially violating work visa laws.

• If found guilty, he could owe taxes on his earnings, face fines of up to $33,000, or even get banned from re-entering the country.

But it doesn’t stop there. If one country enforces its visa laws, others might follow. With Speed having streamed in 17 European countries, 6 in Asia, and planning a South American tour, this could escalate into a global ban.

So far, nothing has come of it... but if governments start cracking down, he could face major travel restrictions.

YouTubers who went too far...

Some of these are legal gray areas, but in my latest video, I cover YouTubers who went way beyond that... like full-blown assault and reckless stunts that endangered their own team.

If you want to see how those cases played out, you can watch the full video here.

That’s it for today. Until next time, this case is closed.

See you then!

Mike