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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

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Strike 3 Holdings Branches Out to Include New ISPs in their Copyright Scheme

Strike 3 Holdings is currently the most prolific copyright Plaintiff in the country. They usually follow a very particular script, suing John Does only identified by an IP address, alleging that the internet subscriber behind the IP address committed copyright infringement by downloading Vixen, Blacked, or Tushy films through BitTorrent networks. They then get a subpoena for the name of the internet subscriber, so they can sue that person in Federal court, where they could be awarded at least $750 per infringement in statutory damages.

However, it appears Strike 3 Holdings is attempting to widen their net and sue IP addresses from Internet Service Providers and states that they normally don’t focus on. For years, their subpoenas were usually to the most prominent internet providers like AT&T, Comcast, Cox, and Verizon. However, they have recently begun to target smaller or more local internet providers. For example, just in case 2020-027181-CC-05 in Miami-Dade County Court, Strike 3 asked for subpoenas to:

  • Armstrong Cable
  • Atlantic Broadband
  • Cascadelink
  • Clarksville Department of Electricity
  • Condointernet.net
  • Grande Communications
  • Hawaiian Telcom
  • Longmont Power & Communications
  • Mediacom Cable
  • netBlazr
  • Opticaltel
  • PenTeleData
  • Sonic.net
  • Sparklight
  • Suddenlink Communications
  • Summit Broadband
  • TDS Telecom
  • US Internet
  • WideOpenWest
  • Windstream Communications

Although some of these internet providers are certainly larger and more recognizable, this is far more diverse than Strike 3’s usual focus. The IP addresses have been geolocated to states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. This wide range of states is why I work with a team of lawyers from across the country to provide the best defense, regardless of the state you live in.

It’s unclear what prompted this change, but some of the alleged infringements are a couple years old, meaning they have been tracking these subscribers long-term. This could mean Strike 3 is ramping up their lawsuit mill scheme and expanding to encompass subscribers from ISPs and states they normally ignore.

Most people discover that they are under threat of being sued only after they receive a notice from their ISP, which advises them that the only way to fight the release of their identity is through a Motion to Quash (i.e., a motion to cancel the subpoena). Although Motions to Quash in Florida state court can be successful, Strike 3 will often pursue the case in Federal court, meaning a Motion to Quash may not end the case. 

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. 

This Plaintiff is notoriously aggressive, and sees each infringement as worth at least $750 in statutory copyright damages. Strike 3 Holdings cases, if lost in court, could easily cost $10,000s, or even $100,000s. 

The Plaintiff is often willing to settle for less 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 Branches Out to Include New ISPs in their Copyright Scheme

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Strike 3 Holdings Files 18 New Federal Lawsuits Across the Country

Strike 3 Holdings, one of the most prolific copyright Plaintiffs in the country, has filed 18 new Federal copyright lawsuits in Illinois (4 cases), Michigan (2 cases), New York (11 cases), and Pennsylvania (1 case), in only a matter of days. Each lawsuit is nearly identical, alleging that their investigators observed an IP address downloading Vixen, Tushy, or Blacked films through BitTorrent networks. They then allege that the internet subscriber associated with the IP address must be the alleged John Doe infringer. They then request a subpoena for subscriber’s identity from the Internet Service Provider (e.g., AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, Verizon, etc.). 

The argument that the person that pays the internet bill must also be the copyright infringer is weak, as other people may have had access to the internet connection (for example). Yet, the barebones accusation that the subscriber is responsible is usually enough for Federal judges to grant the subpoena. Strike 3 Holdings has weaponized this process to try to extract the largest settlements they can from internet subscribers and they are notoriously aggressive.

The Plaintiff sees each infringement as worth at least $750 in statutory copyright damages, which they often ask to treble to $2,250 for what they see as “willful infringement”. Strike 3 Holdings cases, if lost in court, could easily cost $10,000s, or even $100,000s. However, the Plaintiff is often willing to settle for less 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.

Many people discover the lawsuit after they receive a notice from their ISP, which advises them that the only way to fight the subpoena is through a Motion to Quash (i.e., a motion to cancel or “quash” the subpoena). In fact, many of these cases started out in county court in Miami-Dade, Florida, where people have had success in being dismissed from their case after filing a Motion to Quash. However, Motions to Quash in Federal cases are not as simple, as Strike 3 usually files in the correct jurisdiction, leaving fewer arguments against 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 provide the best defense, regardless of the state you live in.

If you’ve received a notice from your internet service provider, please contact me. I can explain 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 Files 18 New Federal Lawsuits Across the Country