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The law firms Davenport Lyons and ACS:Law is being investigated by the UK Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following a complaint by Which? magazine over the actions of these law firms.
Both law firms, and now ACS:Law only, are involved in sending out mass mailings threatening Internet users with lawsuits if they do not pay a settlement fee. The users in question are identified by the law firms as being suspected of downloading copyrighted content.
Davenport Lyons withdrew from these activities some while ago citing complaints, but many of the people working on these cases has since moved to ACS:Law.
Users are found through collecting IP addresses from online downloads, and once the ISP hands over subscriber data for the IP addresses, the law firm then sends letter threatening to sue the individual unless they pay a settlement fee. Part of the fee goes towards the content owners. One controversial aspect of these actions is that people downloading pirated pornographic content are being targeted in increasing numbers as people too embarrassed to bring the matter to court are more willing to pay up. Very few cases actually makes it to court, if any.
After a lengthy investigation, the SRA has referred the conduct of two Davenport Lyons partners to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, the SRA's disciplinary tribunal, for further actions.
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Both law firms, and now ACS:Law only, are involved in sending out mass mailings threatening Internet users with lawsuits if they do not pay a settlement fee. The users in question are identified by the law firms as being suspected of downloading copyrighted content.
Davenport Lyons withdrew from these activities some while ago citing complaints, but many of the people working on these cases has since moved to ACS:Law.
Users are found through collecting IP addresses from online downloads, and once the ISP hands over subscriber data for the IP addresses, the law firm then sends letter threatening to sue the individual unless they pay a settlement fee. Part of the fee goes towards the content owners. One controversial aspect of these actions is that people downloading pirated pornographic content are being targeted in increasing numbers as people too embarrassed to bring the matter to court are more willing to pay up. Very few cases actually makes it to court, if any.
After a lengthy investigation, the SRA has referred the conduct of two Davenport Lyons partners to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, the SRA's disciplinary tribunal, for further actions.
More:
