Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Movie Pirates Reverse Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: The Federal Court of Appeals reversed a previous decision to dismiss a reverse class action lawsuit filed by Voltage Pictures against alleged movie pirates.
- Why: Voltage is attempting to file a “reverse” class action lawsuit against thousands of movie pirates, seeking their private contact information to hold them responsible for downloading files from BitTorrent.
- Where: The case is being heard in The Federal Court of Appeals.
The Federal Court of Appeals ruled Voltage Pictures can proceed with a reverse class action lawsuit the company lodged against alleged movie pirates.
Voltage initially filed the reverse class action lawsuit back in 2016, but it was ultimately dismissed by the Federal Court in 2019, reports TorrentFreak.
The Federal Court concluded at the time that a reverse class action lawsuit would not be the most appropriate scenario since the circumstances surrounding each case of movie pirating would differ.
In his reversal, Justice Donald J. Rennie wrote that Voltage should get an opportunity to explain its arguments in court while pointing out that there is a low standard for adjoining two or more defendants in a class action lawsuit, according to TorrentFreak.
Company Targets ‘Movie Pirates’ Who Downloaded HellBoy From BitTorrent
Voltage has filed multiple complaints against movie pirates over the years, and, in its current reverse class action lawsuit, is attempting to obtain the personal details of a large number of copyright violators.
The reverse class action lawsuit revolves around a lead defendant, Robert Salna, who Voltage says provides WiFi service to tenants. Through him, Voltage is hoping to gain information about a large number of alleged copyright infringers, reports TorrentFreak.
Despite ruling Voltage’s reverse class action lawsuit could proceed, Justice Rennie, citing lack of evidence, sent back to the lower court the question of whether a class action lawsuit is the preferable procedure and whether there are grounds to have Salna be a representative defendant, reports TorrentFreak.
Voltage argues that a reverse class action lawsuit is more financially reasonable than going after each alleged movie pirate individually, reports TorrentFreak.
The Federal Court must still review the proceedings once more before Voltage gets the official okay to go after what could end up being thousands of movie pirates.
Eastlink customers who downloaded the movie Hellboy through BitTorrent last year received a letter from HB Productions informing them they could face a heavy fine if they were found guilty of copyright infringement.
Do you believe Voltage Pictures should be allowed to go after thousands of movie pirates at once? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
