Fathers and Daughters Nevada has filed suit in the Eastern District of Michigan (Fathers and Daughters Nevada, LLC v Does 1-15, Case No. 2:16-cv-10372) against fifteen John Doe defendants (Does 1-15) who they believe have illegally copied and distributed its copyrighted work, the movie “Fathers and Daughters,” via bit torrent sites. The defendants, who haven’t yet been named, are either physically located in Michigan or are believed to have sent the work to users who are physically located in Michigan. In its suit, Fathers and Daughters Nevada has acknowledged that it does not know the true identities of the defendants, but argues that during the course of the suit, the defendants’ identities will come to light.
What Is This Lawsuit?This type of lawsuit might look strange at first, but it’s becoming more and more common for a movie producer or production company to sue a number of anonymous “John Doe” defendants, and then serve a subpoena on several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to find out the identities of subscribers who have downloaded or transferred the producer’s content illegally. The producer will then either attempt to force individual settlements with the subscribers, or will bring a specific individual into a larger copyright infringement lawsuit.
How to Respond?
If you are implicated in a lawsuit like this, the best first step is to get as much information as you can. A simple Internet search will reveal a great deal of general information about this type of lawsuit. Next, consult an attorney who’s experienced in dealing with issues like yours: while the Internet is great for research and finding out general information, it cannot answer specific questions about your particular case.
Will My ISP Disclose My Information?
If your ISP is served with a subpoena, it will release your information in response. In order to prevent the disclosure of your information, you must either file a motion to quash the subpoena or confidentially settle the matter prior to the deadline provided by your ISP. In either case, having an attorney by your side will make the process much easier.
Revision Legal Has Experience Defending Copyright Infringement Lawsuits
Revision Legal is an intellectual property law firm that regularly litigates and negotiates copyright infringement cases. We understand that each case is different and strive to achieve the best result for each individual, whether that means settlement or actively fighting the case.
To contact Revision Legal’s experienced copyright attorneys, simply complete the form on this page or call 855-473-8474.
Image credit to Flickr user mricon
