Are you being threatened with an illegal downloading lawsuit? Harassed by a copyright troll? If so, you’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens have had copyright infringement proceedings started against them for illegally downloading BitTorrents.
But here’s the rub: many of the lawsuits are illegal themselves. That’s why it’s smart to have a lawyer well-versed in illegal downloading lawsuits to review your case and litigate on your behalf. Besides, having a lawyer handle your case often ends up being less expensive than giving into settlement letter demands.
Basic Facts Concerning Illegal Downloading
Most illegal downloading lawsuits revolve around the downloading of torrents from P2P (peer-to-peer) networks — and it usually involves a threatening settlement letter that suggests you “pay up or else!”
There are two major reasons why you should retain a lawyer if you’ve been charged with illegal downloading.
First, even though it rarely happens, federal law mandates heavy fines and possible jail time for those found guilty of illegal downloading.
Second, you may actually be a victim yourself if you’ve been targeted by a “copyright troll.”
Thankfully, more judges are beginning to see the illegal nature of many of these “copyright troll” lawsuits, too. As such, skilled illegal downloading lawyers are experiencing increased success in getting bogus and extreme claims thrown out.
Beware: The Trolls are Lurking
Copyright troll is a term used for a party that uses the courts to file questionable lawsuits as a way to extort money from individuals. In many cases, the person “suing” isn’t actually the creator of the material cited as being infringed. A fly-by-night website can bait you with free downloads, and then another business secretly involved with them can nail you with a lawsuit. They normally try to settle with you before court and to get a few thousand dollars from your pocket.
We recommend that you seek counsel immediately if you and your ISP number have been named in an illegal downloading lawsuit. We have considerable experience in this area and can provide you with the proper representation.
I’m A Musician Who Wants To Sue For Illegal Downloading, Would I Be Considered A Copyright Troll or Can You Help Me Too?
Not all copyright infringement cases are created equal — and not every intellectual property lawsuit can be categorized as a “copyright troll lawsuit.” Eyebrows only start raising when people threaten to file high-dollar lawsuits, but don’t have any real intention of following through with the lawsuit (which is illegal in it of itself).
Revenue lost from illegal downloading can seriously harm the livelihood of musicians, artists and even sound engineers. And the bottom line is that copyright infringement is illegal. For those with legitimate claims, moving forward with a copyright infringement lawsuit is often the right option. We can help you with that.
Contact RM Warner Law today to learn more about your copyright infringement lawsuit options.