Consumer Warning from Vondran Legal, Copyright Defense Law Firm.  Call us at (877) 276-5084.

Introduction

Just a friendly alert to those who receive Strike 3 Holdings subpoena notices from their ISP. The first thing many do is an online Google search to see what attorneys are out there and what they have to offer. Lately, I have seen "newbie lawyers" who claim to be experts in copyright law who now want to jump into defending Strike3 cases. One attorney in particular I know from handling software infringement cases recently decided to throw his hat into the ring. He posted a blog and started paying big money for Google ads (so he would hopefully be clicked on at the top of a search as a sponsored site). This all sounds fancy; however, this attorney landed a client and then proceeded to screw up the defense big time. In fact, their client came to us to clean up his mess, as we promptly did. So, long story short, if you received an S3 subpoena, look for the following things and ask your lawyer about it:

1.  How long have you been handling these file-sharing cases? If it is under two years, I would run, not walk.
   
   
2. What can you expect with a settlement? If they have no idea, it's because they have no idea.
   
   
3. Ask to see client reviews relating specifically to Strike 3 cases. What, you have none? Run, don't walk.
   
   
4. Ask them how often they have dealt with firms like Bandlow Law in California, Aitken Law, Jackie James Law in New York, and other regional Strike 3 firms. What, they don't know who they are?
   
   
5. Ask them if they have EVER LITIGATED a strike three case; if not, run, don't walk.
   
   
6. If they promise you a certain settlement (called the "lowball closer"), ask them to guarantee the amount they say they can get you, and if not, they pay the difference. When they backtrack and say, "We cannot make any promises," run, don't walk.
   
   
7. Ask them what the defenses to alleged infringement are. If they scratch their head and pause, run, don't walk.
   
   
8. Ask how many cases they have settled. If they say "a handful" walk, don't run.
   
   
9. Ask them if they have built personal relationships with the Strike 3 law firms. If they say, "What do you mean?" run, don't walk.
   
   
10. If a copyright attorney's Google ad says, "We can help you quash your subpoena," ask them how many they have quashed. Courts do not quash subpoenas. This is misleading and deceptive advertising typical of a rookie desperate for business.

These are just a few important considerations. Vondran Legal has settled MILLIONS of dollars and appeared in over 600 federal copyright cases. When your wallet and reputation are on the line, don't take the bait and go for the newbie Strike 3 defense law firm that is looking to buy their way in with ads. This will likely cost you in the long run.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Attorney Steve Vondran, Esq.