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Strike 3 Holdings Subpoenas Identities of 186 Comcast Subscribers

What this Miami-Dade County Court Lawsuit Means

On December 30, 2020, Strike 3 Holdings filed its fifth case of the month (2020-031249-CC-05), in Miami-Dade County Court, this time to ask for subpoenas for an unbelievable 186 Comcast subscribers from across the country. Based on their IP addresses, we believe this represents people from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Strike 3 claims they documented 186 IP addresses committing copyright infringement by downloading Vixen, Tushy, or Blacked branded films through BitTorrent networks. 

So how is it that Strike 3 can sue so many people, from all across the country, in county court in Miami-Dade, Florida? Through a lesser known type of complaint called a Bill of Pure Discovery. They allege that the only relief they’re looking for is discovery, that is, a subpoena to the internet service provider (i.e., Comcast) for the identities of the internet subscribers behind each IP address.

Once the court grants the subpoenas, Comcast is obligated to respond unless the defendant files a Motion to Quash (i.e., a motion to cancel the subpoena).

Once Strike 3 has the internet subscriber’s identity, they will usually sue an adult male in the household claiming that he must be the infringer. These Federal lawsuits are serious and can have damages of at least $750 per infringement. This can make a typical Strike 3 Holdings case worth $10,000s, if not $100,000s in damages. These cases shouldn’t be ignored.

Can I just Ignore This?

Many people who receive a notice from their ISP wonder whether Strike 3 is actually serious about filing Federal lawsuits against those who refuse to settle the case. Many hope that Strike 3 will ignore or forget about them. Unfortunately, Strike 3 is one of the most prolific copyright plaintiffs in Federal Courts. In 2020, they filed almost 900 Federal cases, largely representing people who refused to settle when the case was first filed in Miami-Dade. Although Strike 3 often treats these lawsuits as an opportunity to make money through quick settlements, they are also willing to follow through in Federal court.

Motions to Quash

Given the serious nature of the allegations, many defendants want to pursue a Motion to Quash. This is understandable, and there are some valid arguments that while the case remains in Florida county court, such as arguing that the court doesn’t have jurisdiction over copyright matters, nor over non-Florida residents. However, this might not be the end of the case, as Strike 3 frequently files Federal lawsuits against those that oppose the subpoena.

If you’re considering a Motion to Quash, please contact me. I’ve defended over 1,000 people against plaintiffs like Strike 3 Holdings, and have significant experience with Motions to Quash. I can help explain when they can be helpful, and when they could be potentially harmful. I work with a team of lawyers from across the country to make sure that we can serve you, no matter where you are. 

How I Can Help

The Plaintiff is often willing to settle or even dismiss the case when a defendant has an adequate defense. That’s why it’s so important to contact an experienced attorney right away. I can provide valuable information based on my years of experience fighting Strike 3. I work with a team of lawyers from across the country to help represent you, no matter which state you come from.

I’m happy to explain to you your options for defense and recommend the best way forward for your situation, whether it be watching and waiting, settling, a motion to quash, or a fighting in court.  I’ve represented more than 1,000 people across the country, and I focus my practice on defending against BitTorrent-based lawsuits. I’m very familiar with this Plaintiff and can give you individualized guidance for your case.

[Read more…] about Strike 3 Holdings Subpoenas Identities of 186 Comcast Subscribers

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Strike 3 Holdings Subpoenas Identities of 56 Comcast Subscribers From Across the Nation

Just 10 days before Christmas, Strike 3 Holdings has filed another case (2020-030127-CC-05), in Miami-Dade County Court, this time to ask for subpoenas for 56 Comcast subscribers across the country. This includes California (28 identities), Michigan (5 identities), Illinois (5 identities), Maryland (5 identities), New Jersey (5 identities), Washington, DC (3 identities), Pennsylvania (2 identities), and Connecticut (3 identities). Strike 3 claims these subscribers have committed copyright infringement by downloading Vixen, Tushy, or Blacked branded films through BitTorrent networks. Once the court grants the subpoena, Comcast is obligated to respond unless the defendant files a Motion to Quash (i.e., a motion to cancel the subpoena).

Once Strike 3 has the internet subscriber’s identity, they will usually sue an adult male in the household claiming that he must be the infringer. These Federal lawsuits are serious and can have damages of at least $750 per infringement. This can make a typical Strike 3 Holdings case worth $10,000s, if not $100,000s in damages. These cases shouldn’t be ignored.

Given the serious nature of the allegations, many defendants want to pursue a Motion to Quash. This is understandable, and there are some valid arguments while the case remains in Florida county court, such as arguing that the court doesn’t have jurisdiction over copyright matters, nor over non-Florida residents. However, this might not be the end of the case, as Strike 3 frequently files Federal lawsuits against those that oppose the subpoena.

If you’re considering a Motion to Quash, please contact me. I’ve defended over 1,000 people against plaintiffs like Strike 3 Holdings, and have significant experience with Motions to Quash. I can help explain when they can be helpful, and when they could be potentially harmful. I work with a team of lawyers from across the country to make sure that we can serve you, no matter where you are. 

The Plaintiff is often willing to settle or even dismiss the case when a defendant has an adequate defense. That’s why it’s so important to contact an experienced attorney right away. I can provide valuable information based on my years of experience fighting Strike 3.

I’m happy to explain to you your options for defense and recommend the best way forward for your situation. I’ve represented more than 1,000 people across the country, and I focus my practice on defending against BitTorrent-based lawsuits. I’m very familiar with this Plaintiff and can give you individualized guidance for your case.

[Read more…] about Strike 3 Holdings Subpoenas Identities of 56 Comcast Subscribers From Across the Nation

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Michigan Hit with 8 More Strike 3 Holdings Lawsuits

This holiday season won’t be as merry for several households in Michigan, as Strike 3 Holdings filed 8 more Federal lawsuits on December 1. For any other Plaintiff, this could be overwhelming, but it’s standard practice for Strike 3. Each lawsuit is nearly identical, alleging that an investigator recorded an IP address infringing on Strike 3’s copyrights by downloading Vixen, Tushy, or Blacked films through BitTorrent networks. They then ask the courts to grant a subpoena for the name of the internet account holder behind the IP address. 

The argument that the person that downloaded the films is the same as the subscriber is tenuous at best. Many people have households with shared internet connections. Others may have left their wifi unsecured or used a weak password, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized access. Yet, the allegation that the subscriber may be the infringer is often enough for courts to grant a subpoena. 

When an internet service provider, such as AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Frontier, or Spectrum, receives the subpoena, they’re obligated to alert the subscriber. This is when most people find out about the lawsuit and the need to file a Motion to Quash to challenge the subpoena and stop their identity from being released. 

If you’re considering a Motion to Quash, please contact me. I’ve defended over 1,000 people against plaintiffs like Strike 3 Holdings, and have significant experience with Motions to Quash. I can help explain when they can be helpful, and when they could be potentially harmful. I work with a team of lawyers from across the country to make sure that we can serve you, no matter where you are. 

Although Strike 3 files hundreds of lawsuits every year, they take each one seriously, and the consequences can be significant. If not defended against, these lawsuits can have damages of at least $750 per infringement, but the Plaintiff can ask for more. This can make a typical Strike 3 Holdings case worth $10,000s, if not $100,000s in damages. These cases shouldn’t be ignored.

The Plaintiff is often willing to settle or even dismiss the case when a defendant has an adequate defense. That’s why it’s so important to contact an experienced attorney right away. I can provide valuable information based on my years of experience.

I can explain to you your options for defense, and recommend the best way forward for your situation. I’ve represented more than 1,000 people across the country, and I focus my practice on defending against BitTorrent-based lawsuits. I’m very familiar with this Plaintiff and can give you individualized guidance for your case.

[Read more…] about Michigan Hit with 8 More Strike 3 Holdings Lawsuits