ACS: Law says, it will no longer chasing alleged copyright infringers. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix/SCANPIX/PA photosThe controversial London-based law firm which sent tens of thousands of letters demanding payment from people the accused of the file sharing illegal has dramatically Quit his copyright litigation claims death threats causing the "enormous effort" lead solicitor's family.
Andrew Crossley, founder and lead solicitor by ACS: Law, announced in a statement to the patents county court in London yesterday afternoon, that his company would no longer chasing alleged copyright infringers.
"I have ended my work. I have been the subject of criminal attack. My e-mail messages been hacked. I have had death threats and bomb threats, "said Crossley, read in the sentence to the Court by barrister, Tim Ludbrook, acting on behalf of copyright licensee MediaCAT. "It has caused immense inconvenience me and my family."
ACS: Law is at the heart of a long-running row above its method in so-called "speculative invoicing", where thousands of generic letters sent Internet users to the suspected of illegal file sharing. Solicitors Regulation Authority is currently examining its practice as hundreds of accused the claim has been erroneously identified.
In September last year was the personal details of thousands of Britons after a devastating attack on ACS: Law Homepage leaked online. The details, including telephone numbers and addresses, measuring spot online under a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on your company's servers. Information Commissioner is exploring the data breach and be authorised to charge a £ 500,000 fine, if ACS: Law is found to have held the information the system administrator.
Crossleys revelation came at the end of yesterday's patents county court hearing in 27 people accused of illegally sharing copyrighted pornography, which is exclusive licensee MediaCAT.
Of thousands of letters have, ACS: Law sent to prosecuting these alleged 27 cases are the only to be heard before a judge. ACS: Law tried to release the event just days before its first Court hearing earlier this month, but was told that the first requirement, for the Court's permission.
Judge Birss QC called the situation "absolutely extraordinary", and said: "I am not happy about this. My impression, distinct on each twist and turn there is a desire to avoid judicial control.
"It seems to be the first instinct is to avoid judicial control. There have been thousands of letters and only 27 cases have had to be dropped – I doubt. Copyright infringement is a serious matter, but this is just mindboggling. "
Lengthy hearings have further complicated by the recent emergence of a separate law firm issuing similar payment requirements on behalf of MediaCAT, known as a British Ltd. ACS: Law claims to have no connection with UK Ltd, with the exception of two of its former employees founded the newly established law firm.
Judge Birss said, he had considered the prohibition of ACS: Law's client, MediaCAT, from sending any more payment requirements until its claims and renteansøgere clarified. "It would be an extraordinary order, to do," he added. "But these are exceptional circumstances".
Patents Court expected to rule later this week about whether or not ACS: Law should be allowed to cancel the event, and whether or not the owner of copyright – understood to be Sheptonhurst, the owner of the UK's biggest sex shop chain, Private – have to join the case as a creditor.
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