The controversial UK solicitors firm ACS:Law (Andrew Crossley) and its intermediary MediaCAT, which made their money by "bullying" customers of broadband ISPs (e.g. PlusNet , Sky Broadband etc.) with dubious settlement demands ("speculative invoicing") for alleged "illegal" (i.e. unlawful) copyright P2P file sharing activity, have both "ceased trading" and thus dodged a critical court decision.The not unexpected move, which according to TorrentFreak officially occurred on 31st January 2011, came ahead of a crucial ruling in the London Patents County Court by Judge Birss QC, which many believed would go against the firm and possibly even place a ban upon further letter writing. The failed attempt to sue 27 individuals, which has backfired spectacularly, would have had serious implications for others pursuing a similar avenue.
ACS:Law was also awaiting a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over the threatening letters and wider questions about their general conduct. However none of this had, until now, stopped them from sending the letters.
Judge Birss is still expected to read out his ruling on Tuesday 8th February 2011 next week. Lawyers for the defence have indicated that they will continue to pursue the firm for legal costs and potentially even Crossley himself for harassment.
Related News:
11th Dec 2010 - ACS Law UK Loses Illegal Broadband ISP File Sharing Case against 8 Suspects
18th Jan 2011 - UPD ACS Law UK In More Hot Water Over Illegal Broadband ISP File Sharing Cases
22nd Jan 2011 - Lawdit Predicts End of Illegal UK Copyright ISP File Sharing Settlement Letters
25th Jan 2011 - ACS Law UK Quits the Illegal Copyright ISP File Sharing Settlement Letters Game
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Comments: 17
G8ASOPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 8:39 AM
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It couldn't happen to a nicer chap, what a geat outcome, an anagram of Andrew Crossley = Scorned Lawyers, how true!
tacgnoLPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 10:24 AM
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So who destroyed this thieving sadsack of a shyster?
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2010/09/27/privacy-group-takes-on-acslaw-over-porn-data-breach-40090288/
http://web5.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/25/andrew_crossley_acs_law_case_withdrawal/
Anonymous.
Expect them.
h34qfohPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 10:52 AM
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So where does this leave copyright holders who are being rippped off?
p2p kingPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 10:52 AM
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haha better get back on the torrents then.losers il do what i want
tacgnoLPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 11:06 AM
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"So where does this leave copyright holders who are being rippped off?"
Extortion via speculative invoicing by a dirty shyster was probably never the way
hahah
MarkJPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 11:17 AM
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Yes, whatever the issues of unlawful file sharing, ACS:Law's method was definitely not the solution and has failed to work for some very good reasons. Not least the fact that you cannot reliably identify the responsible individual.
tacgnoLPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 11:39 AM
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Judge Birss noted when faced with ACS:Law/MediaCAT shenanigans...
"I want to tell you and your client I am not happy and I get the distinct impression with every twist and turn that there is a desire to avoid any judicial scrutiny"
wonder why he'd think that?
King's HorsePosted: 5 February, 2011 - 12:39 PM
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Power to the people... we are the new technocracy on this planet, those digiphobic rom-cocking lawyers can go blow!
jackPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 1:16 PM
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Andrew Crossley and Lee Bowden are not the only people who need to be held to account for their action here. It seems that in previous court hearings Judge Birss has suggested that MediaCAT (Bowden) doesn't even have the appropriate copyright licenses to pursue a claim.
If that is correct why did Chief Master Winegarten grant the NPOs ? Crossley's scam was operating from inside the UK legal system, using private data granted to him by CM Winegarten and this has undermined confidence in the UK legal system and that system now has to put it's house in order.
voice of reasonPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 3:43 PM
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So what next, the children who do DOS attacks, they should not be hunted down and dragged through the courts, its up to the sites concerned to install software, that filters out obvious multiple requests. All they are doing is knock and run.
MarkJPosted: 5 February, 2011 - 5:07 PM
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You can't completely stop DDoS attacks with filters, there aren't many simple cost effective solutions because by the time you try to redirect the traffic the ICMP itself has already hit your network anyway.
StuartPosted: 7 February, 2011 - 5:07 PM
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Would completly agree with Mark on this one in all his topic reply's
IanPosted: 7 February, 2011 - 10:09 PM
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This is bad news indeed in my opinion. Lack of a completion in this case leaves the door open for Crossley or others to do this again in the future.
With regards to illegal downloads - I repeat - Give me a website where I can download what I want, when I want for, say, £10 a film. I don't illegally download because I want to avoid paying (god only knows I spend enough on blu-rays and unlimited cinema subscriptions). I download illegally because I have absolutely no other option if I want to be able to watch new releases in the comfort of my own home.
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Spam AlertPosted: 3 March, 2011 - 12:44 PM
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My advice, when it comes to choosing a lawyer.
Never select one that thinks it's a good idea to advertise by spamming news comments and forums.
Especially on websites that are based in a different country - if they can't be bothered to check the site they're spamming, how diligent are they going to be with your case?
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