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Film studios, including Voltage Holdings and Screen Media Ventures, are attempting for the third time to force Reddit to share information about users discussing piracy on the site.
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In 2023, Reddit successfully resisted two attempts by film companies to unmask users in relation to copyright infringement lawsuits against cable Internet provider RCN and ISP Grande.
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US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler ruled in favor of Reddit, stating that the First Amendment right to anonymous speech protected user information.
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The first instance involved film companies, such as Bodyguard Productions and Millennium Media, subpoenaing Reddit for user information related to a copyright infringement lawsuit against Astound Broadband-owned RCN.
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The second instance involved the same companies suing Astound Broadband-owned ISP Grande for alleged copyright infringement, leading to a subpoena for Reddit user account information.
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The second instance involved the same companies suing Astound Broadband-owned ISP Grande for alleged copyright infringement, leading to a subpoena for Reddit user account information.
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Voltage Holdings and Screen Media Ventures filed a motion to compel Reddit to respond to a third subpoena,
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claiming that Frontier Communications, facing bankruptcy, has ineffective policies for terminating repeat infringers.
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The studios are seeking information related to claims that the "ability to pirate content efficiently without consequences" is a draw for becoming a Frontier subscriber.
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The court is asked to require Reddit to provide IP address log information from 1/1/2017 to present for six anonymous users discussing piracy on Reddit.
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Reddit responded to the subpoena, stating it doesn't meet the First Amendment standard for disclosure and citing the two previously quashed subpoenas.
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Reddit argues that the studios could obtain equivalent or better information elsewhere and questions the necessity of complying with the new request.
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The studios argue that the new subpoena focusing on IP address logs is distinct from previous rulings and claim that Reddit users don't have a recognized privacy interest in their IP addresses.