Did You Receive a Subpoena From Spectrum?

Spectrum is a provider of high-speed internet, 5G mobile service, home phone, and premium cable TV. These internet service provider (ISP) services are available to both residential and commercial clients. If you are a Spectrum customer and receive a copyright subpoena, what does it mean?

The most common reason for Spectrum to send a subpoena to customers is because of copyright infringement concerns. If you or someone in the household has downloaded media protected by copyright, such as movies or photos, then the subpoena is often the first step in the legal proceedings for copyright infringement.

Why Did Spectrum Send Me a Subpoena?

There are several reasons why Spectrum might deliver a subpoena to your household or business. The most common cause of a subpoena is due to copyright infringement. You are facing allegations that illegal file-sharing software or websites were used to access materials protected by copyright. Spectrum is notifying you that the copyright owners have filed a report or lawsuit because of these illegal activities that have occurred or are occurring.

Modern technology makes it easier than ever to find what you want online. For example, tools like BitTorrent allow individuals to download movies and Pay-Per-View events without paying for the services. Even though these tools can be relatively easy to use, it’s important to understand the legal consequences of violating federal copyright laws by accessing protected materials.

Financial and Legal Consequences if You Receive a Spectrum Subpoena

Receiving a subpoena from Spectrum or any other ISP is a serious matter. You shouldn’t ignore the notification because a subpoena means that the copyright holder is intent on stopping copyright infringement and even getting compensation for the violations. Ignoring the subpoena could result in more fines and legal punishment on top of the consequences of copyright infringement.

If you are found guilty of illegal streaming or any other forms of copyright infringement, then you could be required to pay the copyright holder and also face fines of anywhere between $200 to $150,000 per infringement. Also, additional fees can be added to the settlement to cover all legal fees and attorney costs, not just yours.

When a person is found guilty of serious copyright infringement, imprisonment is rare – but possible. Additionally, you might have to live with a criminal record since copyright infringement is both a civil and criminal federal violation.

Ways an Attorney Can Help with a Subpoena for Copyright Infringement

The first step you should take after receiving a Spectrum subpoena is to contact an attorney who can assist with your defense. You need an experienced legal team to advocate for your rights and minimize the severity of fines and punishment.

Ideally, the goal is to settle the copyright infringement accusation out of court. Everyone involved wants to resolve the situation as quickly and cost effectively as possible. An attorney can be valuable when negotiating a settlement, as he or she will fight to get that dollar amount as low as possible.

Do you have a strong enough case to prove there isn’t enough evidence to find you guilty of copyright infringement? Then, you might be able to quash the lawsuit. For example, your attorney might argue that a few “bits” of data at your IP address aren’t sufficient evidence to prove guilt. Or, there might be a way to prove that hackers – and not you – used the IP address to disguise their illegal online activity.

An Experienced Copyright Defense Attorney Can Help

If you are accused of copyright infringement and receive a subpoena from Spectrum, you need an attorney who understands the best defense to protect your rights. Usually, there is a limited amount of time to respond to the subpoena. Even worse, failure to respond could mean you are in contempt, and the court might decide on additional fees and punishment for this violation. There is a small window of time between when you receive the subpoena and when your name and information will be released by Spectrum to the plaintiff filing the lawsuit.

Don’t underestimate the importance of seeking legal assistance when you are accused of copyright infringement. You deserve to have an experienced attorney advocating for your rights and helping to build your case.

For information about available legal services, reach out to our team at Rosenblum Law. We will schedule a time to discuss your case and offer recommendations to manage the subpoena. You can call us at 888-235-9021.

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