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

[daylight_robbery]

@ Daylight Robbery This comment makes me laugh - I think they know that the are just clutching at straws - Who knows everyone may have got a new laptop. So it would never work.

 

The letters seem to be getting more threatening - How quick were they to respond? and yes i'm sure they did use a template letter.

 

They took about slightly over 4 weeks to respond, I've now draughted another LOD in my own words, stating the same facts as my initial latter, I'll be putting it in post tomorrow, not going to send another after this one as I really don't want to get in to a game of letter tennis with these lot!!

[unclebulgaria67]

 

Personally I would not be sending any letter at all. The letter of denial is a waste of time, particularly if you have downloaded the track.

 

I have not read of anyone receiving any court papers, as I would think this is not the point of the exercise at the moment. If they send out a few thousand letters a week and 5% pay the relevant amount, then they have covered their costs and made a tidy income.

 

Plus the letters of denial could be used against you, if they ever did go to court with proof, which is highly unlikely. I say used against you, as if you had done what they accused you of and you have denied doing so in letters, I suspect the courts would take a dim view of this.

[stupiditto]

Personally I would not be sending any letter at all. The letter of denial is a waste of time, particularly if you have downloaded the track.

 

I have not read of anyone receiving any court papers, as I would think this is not the point of the exercise at the moment. If they send out a few thousand letters a week and 5% pay the relevant amount, then they have covered their costs and made a tidy income.

 

Plus the letters of denial could be used against you, if they ever did go to court with proof, which is highly unlikely. I say used against you, as if you had done what they accused you of and you have denied doing so in letters, I suspect the courts would take a dim view of this.

 

Sorry your honor but I have a new laptop I cant seem to find that so called infringing item anyway on my computer so im not sure what they are talking about.

[seymourtitty]

fine, so ignoring the letter appears to be my best course of action then?

[helpless mother]

Help please

About a month ago I received a letter from ACS Law. I responded back with the template letter, from a website forum. As that what was advised to do.

I am a mother that is not guilty of this as I have lots of people in and out using the internet and downloading items. None are to my knowledge. I have also checked for the software that was supposed to be used and can not find it on the computer.

I have asked my son and his friends and they have no idea what I am talking about, also due to the fact they are going back to September 2009?????.

I have now received a letter from a company called GM Gallant Macmillan. Trying to purse the matter.

I am unsure what to do as the letters do not. And I don’t 100% understand all the jargon.

Help please any advice.

[stupiditto]

They took about slightly over 4 weeks to respond, I've now draughted another LOD in my own words, stating the same facts as my initial latter, I'll be putting it in post tomorrow, not going to send another after this one as I really don't want to get in to a game of letter tennis with these lot!!

 

Id tell them also that they have 2 weeks to reply and see what they do..

 

And as someone has said already here

The advise usually is to send another letter basically saying you stand by your original letter and no further discussion will be entered into on the mater. Any further correspondence will be deemed as harassment.

They stated that if other people are in you house that you should tell them who they are - I think that is there job to find out the cheeky Bast@rds

[stupiditto]

Help please

About a month ago I received a letter from ACS Law. I responded back with the template letter, from a website forum. As that what was advised to do.

I am a mother that is not guilty of this as I have lots of people in and out using the internet and downloading items. None are to my knowledge. I have also checked for the software that was supposed to be used and can not find it on the computer.

I have asked my son and his friends and they have no idea what I am talking about, also due to the fact they are going back to September 2009?????.

I have now received a letter from a company called GM Gallant Macmillan. Trying to purse the matter.

I am unsure what to do as the letters do not. And I don’t 100% understand all the jargon.

Help please any advice.

 

So are Gallant MacMillan taking over this case from ACS?

 

If not what are they trying to pursue MOS Electronic 80's by any chance?

 

What you have put in your post shows the massive flaws in these solicitors plans

I have lots of people in and out using the internet and downloading items

but you did say you have people in and out of the house d/l stuff but it wasnt to your knowledge. How can it not be to your knowledge if you have just told us this.

 

When writing a letter to these people think before you type/write. They are looking for you to slip up.

 

They will prob get back to you about your first LOD saying it is a template letter and isnt sufficient to get you to type in your own word therefore trying to catch you out.

 

I had a friend check my letter over (My words) and he accused me of using a letter template but it wasn't so if they do this to me im going to make some heads roll lmao.

I just put at the end "Sorry I cant be of more assistance"

 

By the way I am not the one getting blamed.

[helpless mother]

Yes it was the MOS..

Thank you for your help. I understand where you are coming from with the flaws when i look at what it say'a.

Should i threaten them with the trading standards or is there anything i can say to make them back off???

 

Thank you again.

[stupiditto]

You can ring Trading Standards yourself and explain what is happening and also ring The SRA http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/solicitors.page

 

Gallant Macmillan are on the same wagon as ACS.

 

You can also try to get free 1/2 hr legal cover from a local solicitor that deals with this sort of thing.

 

A couple of good links

 

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1725983/pirate-party-responds-digital-economy-act-consultation-doc

 

http://vodpod.com/watch/3780159-acs-law-lord-lucas-how-the-game-works-and-if-the-sra-wont-do-anything-about-them-then-we-will#

[helpless mother]

Thank you for your advice.

I will be looking at the sites later, and keep you posted on the outcome.

[kilotango22]

Good video - He did bumble a bit but he got the msg across. My LOD is going off tomorrow morning recorded post. These people really do make me sick.

 

I want to know if they chase people that may have shared it in America or such?

Was this file planted to catch people out? - Seems a very corrupt way of doing things dont you think?

 

Viewing that video tells me what a solicitor said to be jokingly - by replying to them and saying 'well take me to court!' Could actually scare them away as I think we all know the evidence they have against any of us would never stand up in court, and to be honest the Crown Prosecution Service would never allow it to go that far.........

 

The CPS don't get involved in this type of 'case' If he chooses to take people to court he just pays his money and takes his chance, if he does that and looses then his whole game is up and the rest of the clowns playing it won't thank him for spoling their fun and taking away their income.

[ryedonny]

Just got my second letter. "We also note the response you have given matches a template response that is on the internet" CORRECT!! lol. I bet the letter they sent is a template, and the signature is a photocopy. Don't know why they bothered sending me another payment form.

[seymourtitty]

so it seems that GM are not taking these LODs lightly....I know that there hasnt been a court case for downloading, but isnt there a first time for everything? I'm sure they would love to be the first as well, and make a bit of legal history.

[stupiditto]

so it seems that GM are not taking these LODs lightly....I know that there hasnt been a court case for downloading, but isnt there a first time for everything? I'm sure they would love to be the first as well, and make a bit of legal history.

 

They can keep on wishing because in my op it would get chucked out of court due to lack of evidence.

If you look at there website GM are a niche solicitor and are obviously trying to make a name for themselves. One word for them "W@ankers".

 

Sent my LOD recorded today and it was in my own words it would be interesting to see if they say if it is a template or not.

Yet again the p/o couldn't find GM was associated to the Oxford Street address.

 

I notice the letters arn't signed by an idividual which is a little annoying.

[8of9]

They can keep on wishing because in my op it would get chucked out of court due to lack of evidence.....

 

Do GM state who their "Forensic Experts" are or the software used to collect the data?

[stupiditto]

Nope. I just think its a little un professional as say if you were getting a charge from a bank at least you get a letter with a persons signature and not just the company name

[8of9]

Nope. I just think its a little un professional as say if you were getting a charge from a bank at least you get a letter with a persons signature and not just the company name

 

ACSL stated on their letters of claim that NG3 Systems (the forensic experts) collected the data (ie IP numbers) used. Is it a requirement that this information is included or have GM just not included it?

Do GM actually include the IP address in their letter.

If GM have included the IP address in the letter then surely they should reveal how this information was obtained, or do they not have confidence in the integrity of the data?

The claims that have been made are based on this data. IS IT ACCURATE?

[8of9]

Got them now

We’ve only just started doing this work. We are working for our client Ministry of Sound and we work with a German software company called DigiRights, who go on file-sharing sites and they identify IP addresses that are making available Ministry of Sound music.

But what makes me chuckle is that on Digirights website they offer a Free Dowwnload which could "potentially" put a stop to this gravy train:

Digital File Check

 

Digital File Check is a free software programme that helps people clean-up their computers and avoid illegal file-sharing. Music fans who want to be safe and legal on the Internet will be able to stop their computer being used for illegal file-swapping of copyright music and movies.

It is also a simple educational tool that shows computer users how they, their family and friends can enjoy music and film legally and responsibly without risking legal action by copyright holders.

 

Digital File Check helps to remove or block any of the unwanted "file-sharing" programmes commonly used to distribute copyrighted files illegally. It also allows the user to delete copyrighted music and video files from the "shared folders" of the computer from where they are commonly swapped illegally on the internet.

 

Digital File Check is an initiative aimed at all computer users, as well as organisations. It could be especially useful for parents who want to encourage their children to enjoy music responsibly on the internet. It is free, voluntary and for private use only and does not tip-off any anti-piracy organisations

.

 

http://drs-software.com/download.php

 

And I thought that they were only in it for the money

 

 

 

 

• Private message
  

[stupiditto]

Got them now

We’ve only just started doing this work. We are working for our client Ministry of Sound and we work with a German software company called DigiRights, who go on file-sharing sites and they identify IP addresses that are making available Ministry of Sound music.

But what makes me chuckle is that on Digirights website they offer a Free Dowwnload which could "potentially" put a stop to this gravy train:

Digital File Check

 

Digital File Check is a free software programme that helps people clean-up their computers and avoid illegal file-sharing. Music fans who want to be safe and legal on the Internet will be able to stop their computer being used for illegal file-swapping of copyright music and movies.

It is also a simple educational tool that shows computer users how they, their family and friends can enjoy music and film legally and responsibly without risking legal action by copyright holders.

 

Digital File Check helps to remove or block any of the unwanted "file-sharing" programmes commonly used to distribute copyrighted files illegally. It also allows the user to delete copyrighted music and video files from the "shared folders" of the computer from where they are commonly swapped illegally on the internet.

 

Digital File Check is an initiative aimed at all computer users, as well as organisations. It could be especially useful for parents who want to encourage their children to enjoy music responsibly on the internet. It is free, voluntary and for private use only and does not tip-off any anti-piracy organisations

.

 

http://drs-software.com/download.php

 

And I thought that they were only in it for the money

 

 

 

 

 

• Private message
  

 

So the ip address that pops up on the right hand site is mine? Yes? If it is it is completely different from the one they have stated in the letter.

 

Im not sure if you are saying this is a good thing or not?

[cerberusalert]

So the ip address that pops up on the right hand site is mine? Yes? If it is it is completely different from the one they have stated in the letter.

 

Im not sure if you are saying this is a good thing or not?

IP addresses can be confusing, it depends whether you have a static or a dynamic address. A static address remains the same whereas a dynamic one changes frequently.

[the_shadow]

So the ip address that pops up on the right hand site is mine? Yes? If it is it is completely different from the one they have stated in the letter.

 

Im not sure if you are saying this is a good thing or not?

 

I'm afraid this is neither here or there... Most IP addresses assigned by ISP's are dynamic otherwise there just wouldnt be enough in the allocated range to go around the UK. So just because your IP address is xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx today doesnt mean it wasnt the IP address they state in there letter.

 

HOWEVER Its up to them to prove a) That the ISP's records are correct.... Its not unknown for invalid data to be given b) That your IP address wasnt spoofed... Thats where someone else hijacks the IP address currently allocated to you and sends/receives as you but isnt you! c) That your wireless router wasnt hacked ala b and someone else downloaded the info and last but not least d) If none of the previous apply, prove that the file was actually downloaded rather than rely on untested/unproven IP harvesting from torrent trackers.

 

I know this thread is massive but new joiners really need to start from the beginning of the thread and read up to date, all we seem to be doing is repeating the same advice as nothing has really changed and nor should it as the firms involved havent taken anyone who has sent a LOD to court yet as far as we know (and I'm sure they would trumpet it if they did).

 

Edit: The new starter comment isnt aimed at anyone in particular, just an observation on how many times a day the same advice has to be given.

S.

[Bingobongobango]

Morning all.

 

I have been reading this thread with interest over the past few weeks, ever since I too received a letter from GM.

 

I have responded, like many, with a LOD. I sent mine to the Oxford Street address via recorded delivery, however, the PO never mentioned anything about not finding GM at that address like previous people on here have stated. So mine has been sent to that address.

 

Has anyone who has sent their initial LOD to the Oxford Street address received a response?

 

I am just slightly worried that they havent received my letter. I do have proof of postage etc etc but I dont want to get a letter in a few days/weeks saying I havent responded!

 

Cheers.

[unclebulgaria67]

If they are sending out thousands of these letters containing allegations, the only processes that they probably have in place are the sending of different letters depending on whether any LOD has been received. i.e. If no response, send letter A and if LOD received, send letter B. Only if they had received a letter with specific information, saying why they had nothing to do with the allegation would they stop further chaser letters being sent. This is my guess as to how this is done. They can't have employed too many extra staff to run the process.

 

If this is a 'speculative invoicing' process, the idea is to keep the costs down. So it could just be spreadsheets and mail merge to print off the required letters.

 

If any of these legal firms are looking to take this to court, they will pick on a repeat offender, who has shared a considerable volume of copyrighted material and where there is more evidence to go on. I doubt that they would go after the majority of people, because it is not worth it, so in my opinion unless you send a specific LOD and not a template letter, you are wasting your time.

[floppydog]

@8of9 - try this, go to http://drs-software.com/download.php keep it in the German page. Then right hand click the page and translate with Bing. Now watch while your IP address changes magically !!!!

[count orlok]

Got them now

We’ve only just started doing this work. We are working for our client Ministry of Sound and we work with a German software company called DigiRights, who go on file-sharing sites and they identify IP addresses that are making available Ministry of Sound music.

But what makes me chuckle is that on Digirights website they offer a Free Dowwnload which could "potentially" put a stop to this gravy train:

Digital File Check

 

Digital File Check is a free software programme that helps people clean-up their computers and avoid illegal file-sharing. Music fans who want to be safe and legal on the Internet will be able to stop their computer being used for illegal file-swapping of copyright music and movies.

It is also a simple educational tool that shows computer users how they, their family and friends can enjoy music and film legally and responsibly without risking legal action by copyright holders.

 

Digital File Check helps to remove or block any of the unwanted "file-sharing" programmes commonly used to distribute copyrighted files illegally. It also allows the user to delete copyrighted music and video files from the "shared folders" of the computer from where they are commonly swapped illegally on the internet.

 

Digital File Check is an initiative aimed at all computer users, as well as organisations. It could be especially useful for parents who want to encourage their children to enjoy music responsibly on the internet. It is free, voluntary and for private use only and does not tip-off any anti-piracy organisations

.

 

http://drs-software.com/download.php

 

And I thought that they were only in it for the money

 

 

 

 

• Private message
  

Have you checked out the demo? Aparently any files you have in your shared documnts folder "are likely to be illegal files", based on what? I keep totaly legal files in that folder so that I can listen to music through my xbox. Also having bit torrent software is not illegal nor is using it!