ACS:Law copyright file sharing claims, Gallant Macmillan - and probably some others along the way...

[Delta82]

Not sure if its the right place to post but here goes

Recieved a letter this morning claiming "Infringement of Copyright" saying they have "retained forensic computer analysis" to identify me as sharing a game on P2P over a year and a half ago.

Now after reading all the long confusing paragraphs about this that and the other I have a form on the back saying I'm to pay over £730 to ACS

I'm going to dispute this as the game in question really doesn't ring any bells and maybe someone else who was using my computer may have downloaded it but early days yet.

Back to my main question has anyone any story's about ACS:law at all as well as some information as how to tackle this.

There based in London W1S 1NX If that is any help

[Steward]

You can use Google to search the web using these links below:-

[kiptower]

well their web site is a blank page

and the address is a "serviced office space"

[cerberusalert]

It's a scam see; Infringement of Copyright Notice - 'Two Worlds' - P2Pfreak.com

[Delta82]

Thanks for that Cerberus ..I will keep an eye on that posting and see what develops as Im thinking Im not the only one in the country to receive this letter today.

[cerberusalert]

Make a complaint to your local trading standards & the OFT


The Office of Fair Trading: Contact us

[Delta82]

UK BitTorrent Users Under More Pressure From Lawyers | TorrentFreak

thats also interesting but by a different firm but using the same people who collect the data... plot thickens

[cerberusalert]

I had to laugh when I read that piece, my IP is listed amongst the many others but one problem they would have to overcome is the fact that Kcom & Eclipse (who are one and the same IP) do not issue static ISP addresses, mine can change a dozen or more times a day.

Then of course there's the little matter of file sharers who use 'third party' servers.

[Delta82]

hmmm thinking back I was on a wireless router but again will be hard to prove .. not sure what to make of it up to now.

Do I ignore or wait and see what happens as another letter arrived shortly after the £730 one printed the same with a few ip details and dates but wanting £860

So now have 2 debts ....

[cerberusalert]

I'd ignore them for now. It seems that those that respond to them start to get hounded, whereas those that have ignored them have been left alone. According to the link you gave, there have been no known proscecutions so far, besides just having an ISP address proves nothing anyway. I think they would have a very hard time proving anything & would rather rely on some poor smuck just coughing-up without a fight.

[Delta82]

Thanks ..the link in the P2P freak forum is picking up ..seems it may well be a scam so going to wait off a bit and see what happens.

[andydd]

I'd ignore them for now. It seems that those that respond to them start to get hounded, whereas those that have ignored them have been left alone. According to the link you gave, there have been no known proscecutions so far, besides just having an ISP address proves nothing anyway. I think they would have a very hard time proving anything & would rather rely on some poor smuck just coughing-up without a fight.

It's all rather worrying, esp if events years back can be refered to..I have had various flatmate over the last few years and allow them to use my WiFi service, how on earth could I really be held liable for what they download, also |Im on Virgin media and I belive that they don't have staic IP's either so they are always changing

[Stressed150]

17.10pm...... 17 guests viewing this thread!!!!

[robjam1969]

Hi All

Got the same letter waiting for me when I get home (Wife in a state as her name) - Following with interest. They want £565 off me.

[cashins]

Ignore them, they will then go and find someone else who is daft enough to pay them.

David

[harrassed senior]

May be worth an e-mail to BBC Watchdog - if they get enough reporting the same, they will investigate.

[mr.ton]

All these guests just for 1 thread
Anyway whatever this thing is & whoever is behind it..it goes without saying, do not pay a penny & report to the OFT/trading standards & Watchdog etc...
The police (not 999) might also be interested to be made aware of it.

[cerberusalert]

All these guests just 1 thread

More than likely they've had similar letters too & a google search has thrown this thread up.

[mr.ton]

Yeah could be i suppose

[mr.ton]

There based in London W1S 1NX If that is any help

Now if you type in "ACS:Law" into google..you get the following

ACS Law | InterSolicitors.co.uk

The post code is exactly that as mentioned above.

It gives a link to a web site for the company & an email contact addy for a Mr andrew.crossley@acs-law.co.uk

[Huff&Puff]

VBulletin is designed to be very search engine friendly - I'm on the site team at another forum, and it amazes us how quickly a thread can go to the top of the rankings. Within a couple of hours sometimes.