U.S. Judge Orders 27 Porn BitTorrent Piracy Suits Dismissed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  — A federal judge has tossed 27 porn BitTorrent piracy lawsuits targeting 3,394 defendants because the adult studios suing them were represented by an attorney who was not licensed to practice law in Florida.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle dismissed all of the 27 cases handled by attorney Terik Hashmi, who lined up plaintiffs from some of the top studios in the adult entertainment business to sue the John Doe defendants. Plaintiff studios included Elegant Angel, Wicked Pictures, Digital Sin, Devil's Film, Zero Tolerance and others.

Hashmi last month asked forgiveness of the court, while acknowledging he had transferred the cases to substitute counsel, Mike Meier.

But Hinkle didn't buy Hashmi's apologies, ruling on Tuesday that Hashmi’s filing of these cases was a clear violation of the undertakings set out in an affidavit signed two years ago.

Opposing counsel earlier noted to Hinkle that Hashmi was  in violation of a cease-and-desist affidavit from 2010 where he agreed to not engage in an "unlicensed" capacity as legal counsel in the state.

"In the affidavit Mr. Hashmi swore that he understood that holding himself out as authorized to practice law in Florida would constitute contempt of the Florida Supreme Court and a third-degree felony," Hinkle said in his ruling. "He swore that he understood he could not forward letters to third parties appearing to be from an attorney.  He swore that he understood he could not provide legal advice or otherwise practice law in Florida, except on immigration matters.  

"The assertion that Mr. Hashmi thought he could properly undertake to represent these plaintiffs in these cases — cases arising in Florida and having nothing to do with immigration — is plainly unfounded." 

The following porn BitTorrent suits are subject to Hinkle's dismissal order: Third Degree Films Inc. vs. Does 1-259,  Third Degree Films Inc. vs. Does 1-375,  Digital Sin Inc. vs. Does 1-208,  Digital Sin Inc. vs. Does 1-145, Digital Sin Inc. vs. Does 1-167,  Next Phase Distribution Inc. vs. Does 1-126,  Patrick Collins Inc. vs. Does 1-85, Zero Tolerance Entertainment Inc. vs. Does 1-52,  Media Products Inc. vs. Does 1-34,  SBO Pictures Inc. vs. Does 1-92,  SBO Pictures Inc. vs. Does 1-97, Metro Interactive, LLC vs. Does 1-56, Evasive Angles Entertainment vs. Does 1-97, Elegant Angel Inc. vs. Does 1-87,  Elegant Angel Inc. vs. Does 1-115, Elegant Angel Inc. vs. Does 1-85, Elegant Angel Inc. vs. Does 1-77,  Media Products Inc. vs. Does 1-175, Digital Sin Inc. vs. Does 1-150,  Digital Sin Inc. vs. Does 1-131, Exquisite Multimedia Inc. vs. Does 1-178,  Media Products Inc. vs. Does 1-43,  Next Phase Distribution Inc. vs. Does 1-93,  Patrick Collins Inc. vs. Does 1-159,  Third Degree Films Inc. vs. Does 1-195, Media Products Inc. vs. Does 1-168 and SBO Pictures Inc. vs. Does 1-98.

Hinkle ordered the cases dismissed without prejudice, allowing for the cases to be re-filed.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Show More