We are independent musicians creating maps that use our own original music.
However, under the current system, our maps always fail moderation for copyright violations, even though the music in question is entirely ours.
When our appeal is accepted, the violation is removed.
But whenever we update a map even for reasons such as fixing bugs the same audio assets fail moderation again for the same reason.
This requires us to submit another appeal and wait several days for the response.
All of this happens despite the fact that we compose, self-record, and fully own our music, and are not affiliated with any label or copyright-management organization.
What we find additionally problematic is that Epic Games appears to be issuing copyright warnings on our music unilaterally and arbitrarily.
Platforms like YouTube and Twitch also have automated music-copyright detection systems (Content ID), but in those cases, musicians choose to register their works voluntarily for the purpose of monetization.
We have no such agreement or arrangement with Epic Games, so Epic should not be acting as a third party that enforces copyright on our behalf.
We understand that music copyright is a highly sensitive matter.
However, Epic Games should not unilaterally or arbitrarily restrict how musicians use the works they themselves created.
Music-rights structures are diverse and cannot be accurately handled through a single automated blocking mechanism.
We urge a review of the system and sincerely hope to see improvements.