Copyright Law

RIAA drops another "John Doe" case without getting discovery, BMG Music v. Does 1-14, Greensboro, North Carolina

By Ty Rogers and Ray Beckerman

You may recall that the RIAA recently dropped its "John Doe" case against Rhode Island College students, where the ISP was located in Austin, Texas, in Arista Records v. Does 1-22, without getting its "ex parte discovery order".

We have learned of it dropping another "John Doe" case, this one in Greensboro, North Carolina, targeting students at NC State and UNC Charlotte, again without getting its "ex parte discovery order", BMG Music v. Does 1-14.

2 of the defendants had settled with the RIAA. The other 12 will now never be identified. 4 of the 12 were represented by Steve Robertson and his firm, Robertson & Medlin, of Greensboro, North Carolina, the same lawyers representing a group of NC State students in Raleigh, NC, in John Doe cases and in regulatory proceedings against MediaSentry.

The internet service provider, Shenandoah Telecommunication Company, had moved to quash the subpoena in question last year, but its motion had been denied.

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

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Full post as published by Recording Industry vs The People on January 17, 2009 (boomark / email).