Facebook has acquired a content rights startup as it seeks lure in independent creators by clamping down on the unauthorised sharing of their videos and other content.

New York-based startup Source3’s technology to manage intellectual property in user-generated content by detecting when it has been shared by internet users without the permission of the original creator.

“Were excited to bring our IP, trademark and copyright expertise to the team at Facebook and serve their global community of two billion people, who consume content, music, videos and other IP every day,” said Source3’s founders on the startup’s website. “We feel great about this next step in our journey, and we thank everyone who helped us get to where we are today.”

Facebook is acquiring both the technology and at least some of the Source3 team. Those that Facebook choose to keep on will join the internet giant’s New York office, and Source3 will be fully integrated into Facebook.

“We’re excited to work with the Source3 team and learn from the expertise they’ve built in intellectual property, trademarks and copyright,” a Facebook spokesperson told Recode. “As always, we are focused on ensuring we serve our partners well.”