Update to Third Degree Films V. John Doe: Purdue Releases Student’s Name Who Is Accused of Copyright Infringement of Adult Film

Lafayette, IN – According to a report from the Associated Press, Purdue University has released the name of a student who is accused of illegally downloading an adult film from a dorm room internet connection. Last month, Indiana Intellectual Property Law and News reported on Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich of the Northern District of Indiana ruling that denied a motion to quash the subpoena that sought Purdue’s disclosure of the student’s name and address.

This Purdue student is one of 2,000 internet subscribers that Third Degree Films, Inc. of California alleges have committed copyright infringement by illegally downloading adult videos. Third Degree did not know the identities of the persons who allegedly illegally downloaded the copyrighted work, but did have the internet protocol (I.P.) address. Third Degree has served subpoenas on internet services providers attempting to uncover the identities of the subscribers with the specified I.P. addresses. The underlying copyright infringement lawsuit was filed by copyright attorneys for Third Degree in the Northern District of California. Several similar copyright infringement cases are currently pending in Indiana district courts.

The Purdue student had filed a motion to quash the subpoena issued on Purdue, arguing that the subpoena sought confidential information and was burdensome.

Practice Tip: Typically in a case like this, once the identity of the I.P. subscriber is learned, the copyright attorneys for the film company will send a letter to the person seeking a settlement and threatening to sue the person if a settlement is not reached.

This case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich of the Northern District of Indiana, and assigned Case No. 4:11-mc-00002.