The suit, which was filed at U.S. District Court in Dallas, aims to stop them from copying and distributing unauthorized copies of the movie online.
The suit claims that the defendants, identified only by their IP address and Internet service provider, collectively participated in the unlawful reproduction and distribution of the movie to hundreds of other bit torrent users.
“In doing so, defendants have violated plaintiff’s exclusive rights of reproduction and distribution,” the suit claims. “The foregoing acts of infringement have been willful, intentional, and in disregard of and with indifference to the rights of plaintiff.”
The plaintiff also claims that each defendant is causing and unless enjoined and restrained by this court, will continue to cause plaintiff great and irreparable injury.
The suit seeks a permanent injunction, damages, plaintiff and attorneys fees.
Mick Haig Productions is being represented by attorney Evan Stone, who has filed dozens of torrent sharing suits — most of them in Dallas — against John Doe defendants on behalf of several clients including Lucas Entertainment, Larry Flynt Productions and VCX.
Stone said he files the suits in the Lone Star state because porn producers have an easier time establishing copyright in Texas.
“Showing proof that you've applied for a copyright is good enough for the Northern District of Texas,” Stone said. “While in other jurisdictions you'd need to hold the copyright already — which is either time-consuming [there's an eight-month backlog] or expensive [$800 to expedite the application].”
