Swarm BitTorrent Joinder Abusing Federal Rules

Abusive litigation tactics and improper avoidance of court filing fees by BitTorrent copyright infringement action plaintiffs required that significant restrictions be placed on subpoenas to internet service providers seeking the John Doe defendants’ identities, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York decided May 1 (In re BitTorrent Adult Film Copyright Infringement Cases, E.D.N.Y., 2:11-cv-03995, 5/1/12).

“The Federal Rules direct the Court to deny discovery ‘to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.’ Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1). This situation cries out for such relief,” the court ...