RIAA v. The People Case Archive

John Doe Lawsuits

To protect Internet users' due process and privacy rights, EFF filed amicus briefs in several early cases brought by the RIAA against "John Doe" P2P users.

Form of Doe Settlement Agreement [PDF] - The document that Does targeted by the RIAA are being asked to sign.

Orders Requiring Severance

Order requiring separate filing [PDF 331k] against individual defendants Cases Filed by Recording Companies, Western District of Texas (Austin Division).
In re Cases Filed by Recording Companies, General Order ( W.D. Tex. Nov. 17, 2004)
Elektra Entertainment Group v. Does 1-6, Civil Action No. 1241 (E.D. Pa. October 13, 2004)
BMG Music v. Does 1-203, Civil Action No. 04-650 (E.D. Pa. March 5, 2004) (reconsideration denied April 5, 2004)
Interscope Records v. Does 1-25, Case No. 6:04-cv-197-Orl-22DAB (M.D. Fla. April 27, 2004)

see also: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. et al v. Does 1-12 (N.D. Cal., Nov. 23, 2004) 3:04cv04862 (Movie studio case)

Arista v. Does 1-100 (GA)
- Motion of Public Citizen, EFF, ACLU, and ACLU Georgia to file as Amici Curiae in Support of Cox [PDF 41k] November 16, 2004
- Amicus Brief [PDF 89k] November 16, 2004
- Cox Motion to Quash [PDF 45k] November 15, 2004
- Cox Memorandum in Support [PDF 511k] November 15, 2004
- Complaint against Does 1-100 [PDF 2.6M] August 25, 2004
Order denying Cox's Motion to Quash [PDF, 48K] February 1, 2005

Capitol Records v. Doe (FL - Orlando)
- Notice of Hearing (PDF 210k). May 19, 2004

BMG Music v. Does 1-3 (PA - Drexel)
- Plaintiff's Opposition to Motion for Leave to File (PDF 2.7M). April 29, 2004
- Amicus Brief Regarding Plaintiffs' Request For Expedited Discovery (PDF 216k). April 8, 2004
- Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 112k). April 8, 2004
- Exhibits A-D (PDF 9.7M). April 8, 2004
- Proposed Order for Motion for Leave to File (PDF 70k). April 8, 2004

Virgin Records America v. Does 1-9 (PA)
- Judge's Order regarding Discovery (PDF 29k). May 13, 2004
- Plaintiff's Opposition to Motion for Leave to File (PDF 2.7M). April 29, 2004
- Amicus Brief Regarding Plaintiffs' Request For Expedited Discovery (PDF 217k). April 8, 2004
- Notice of Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 112k). April 8, 2004
- Proposed Order for Motion for Leave to File (PDF 14k). April 8, 2004

Priority Records v. Does 1-8 (CA)
- Plaintiffs' voluntary dismissal [PDF 29k] September 3, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Opposition to EFF Amicus (PDF 127k). July 2, 2004
- Declaration of Whitehead in Opposition to EFF Amicus (PDF 36k). July 2, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Request for Judicial Notice (PDF 33k). July 2, 2004.
- Report to and Request of the Assignment Committee (PDF 29k). April 8, 2004
- Order Denying Immediate Discovery (PDF 25k). April 8, 2004
- Supplemental Request for Judicial Notice (PDF 43k). April 5, 2004
- Notice of Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 7k). April 2, 2004
- Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 14k). April 2, 2004
- Amicus Brief of EFF, Public Citizen and ACLU Concerning Request for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 55k). April 2, 2004
- Declaration of Schoen in Support of Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 134k). April 2, 2004
- Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 9k). April 2, 2004
- Proposed Order Granting Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 5k). April 2, 2004

Atlantic Records v. Does 1-3 (DC)
- Complaint (PDF 238k). March 23,2004
- Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 893k). March 23,2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Motion (PDF 7.3M). March 23,2004
- Proposed Order Granting Motion (PDF 36k). March 23,2004

Interscope Records v. Does 1-25
- Judge's Order adopting Magistrate's severance recommendations (PDF 95k). April 29, 2004
- Middle District order adopting magistrate's report & recommendations (PDF 82k). April 29, 2004
- Order Denying Expedited Discovery and Ordering Severance (PDF 1.8M). April 1, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Response to Order to Show Cause (PDF 1.9M). March 16, 2004
- Order to Show Cause on Ruling on Motion (PDF 234k). March 5, 2004
- Complaint (PDF 792k). February 17, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Ex Parte Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 1.3M). February 17, 2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 985k). February 17, 2004

Virgin v. Doe (MD)
- Complaint (PDF 178k). March 23, 2004
- Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 60k). March 23, 2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Motion (PDF 3.7M). March 23, 2004
- Memorandum in Support of Motion (PDF 890). March 23, 2004
- Proposed Order Granting Motion (PDF 32k). March 23, 2004

Virgin v. Does 1-44 (GA - Earthlink)
- Order Granting Expedited Discovery and to File Amici Curiae Brief (PDF 108k). March 3, 2004
- Amici's Motion for Leave to File Memorandum re Discovery Motion (PDF 21k). February 24, 2004
- Amici's Memorandum re Discovery Motion (PDF 53k). February 24, 2004
- Declaration of Schoen in Support of Amici's Motion (PDF 53k). February 24, 2004
- Complaint (PDF 581k). February 17, 2004

BMG Music v. Does 1-3 (DC)
- Complaint (PDF 228k). March 23, 2004
- Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 3.5M). March 23, 2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 890k). March 23, 2004
- Proposed Order Granting Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 33k). March 23, 2004

BMG Music v. Does 1-203 (PA - Comcast)
- Court's Order on Plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration (PDF 33k). April 5, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration (PDF 4.7M). March 12, 2004
- Order Requiring Severance into 203 Lawsuits (PDF 114k). March 5, 2004
- Amicus Memorandum (PDF 134k). February 23, 2004
- Amicus Motion for Leave to File Memorandum (PDF 98k). February 23, 2004
- Proposed Order (PDF 48k). February 23, 2004
- Declaration of Seth Schoen (PDF 69k). February 23, 2004
- Complaint (PDF 252k). February 17, 2004

Motown Record Company, et. al. v. Does 1-252 (GA - Cox Communications)
- Opinion Regarding Motion to Quash (PDF 330k), August 16, 2004
- Plantiff's Response to Doe Motions (PDF 4.7M). May 3, 2004
- EFF Letter to Judge Hunt (PDF 197k). April 22, 2004
- Cox Communications letter responding to Plaintiff's subpoena (PDF 730k). April 19, 2004
- Motion to Quash from defendent Doe #106 (PDF 735k). April 19, 2004
- Motion to Quash from defendent Doe #207 (PDF 735k). April 19, 2004
- Order Allowing Discovery (but adding more time for response - PDF 150k). March 1, 2004
- Complaint (PDF 337k). February 17, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to Take Expedited Discovery (PDF 151k). February 17, 2004
- Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion (PDF 1M). February 17, 2004
  - Amici's Motion for Leave to File Memorandum re Discovery Motion (PDF 21k). February 24, 2004
  - Amici's Memorandum re Discovery Motion (PDF 53k). February 24, 2004
  - Delcaration of Seth Schoen in Support of Amici's Motion (PDF 105k). February 24, 2004

Electra Entertainment v. Does 1-7 (NJ - RCN)
- Complaint (PDF 260k). February 17, 2004
- Plaintiffs' Memorandum in Support of Ex Parte Relief Permitting Limited Expedited Discovery (PDF 353k). February 17, 2004
- Declaration of Karen A. Confoy in Support of Ex Parte Relief Permitting Plaintiffs to Conduct Limited Discovery (PDF 51k). February 17, 2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Ex Parte Relief Permitting Plaintiffs to Conduct Limited Expedited Discovery (PDF 261k). February 17, 2004

Capitol Records v. Does 1-250 (NY - Time Warner Cable)
- Complaint (PDF 822k). January 21, 2004
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead (PDF 852k). January 21, 2004
- Order (PDF 41k). January 26, 2004
- Memorandum (PDF 1.8M). January 26, 2004

Sony v. Does 1-40 (NY - Cablevision)
- Opinion of the Court (PDF, 675k). July 27, 2004
- Plaintiff's Opposition of Motion to Quash (PDF 3.2M). April 22, 2004
- Second Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead (PDF 430k). April 21, 2004
- Brief amicus curiae of Public Citizen, ACLU, and EFF (PDF 68k). April 9, 2004
- Supporting Declaration of Wendy Seltzer (PDF 1.1M). April 9, 2004
- Supporting Declaration of Seth Schoen (PDF 295k). April 9, 2004
- Complaint (PDF 6.3M). January 21, 2004
- Declaration (PDF 7.3M). January 21, 2004
- Motion (PDF 5.4M). January 21, 2004
- Amici's Letter to Judge Chin (PDF 1.1M). February 2, 2004
- Order Responding to Amici (PDF 329k). February 3, 2004

UMG Recordings v. Does 1-199 (DC - Verizon) Amicus Brief Documents
- Complaint (PDF 229k). January 21, 2004
  - Complaint Exhibit A (PDF 2.5M). January 21, 2004
- Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 341k). January 23, 2004
  - Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to Take Immediate Discovery (PDF 415k). Jaunary 21, 2004
- Memorandum of Amici Curiae (PDF 107k). February 2, 2004
- Motion of Amici Curiae (PDF 56k). February 2, 2004
- Declaration of Wendy Selzter (PDF 361k). February 2, 2004
- Response to Amici
  - RIAA Response to Amici (PDF 831k). February 13, 2004
  - Exhibit A (PDF 85k). February 13, 2004
  - Exhibit B (PDF 140k). February 13, 2004
  - Proposed Order (PDF 18k). February 13, 2004
- Reply Memo in Support of Motion for Leave to File as Amici Curiae (PDF 72k). February 17, 2004
- Decision scheduling disclosure and motions to quash (PDF 36k). March 10, 2004
- Order scheduling disclosure and motions to quash (PDF 29k). March 10, 2004

Additional filings for cases in which EFF has not participated can be found here.

Off site: RIAA v. the People Blog's Case Archive

DMCA Subpoenas

When the RIAA started suing filesharers in 2003, it tried to use a dangerous subpoena power under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Without filing a lawsuit, providing any proof, or putting the subpoena before a judge's eyes, they could get the information of an Internet based on a mere allegation of infringement. In a ruling that protected privacy online, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Verizon and EFF that the DMCA's special subpoena provisions apply to potentially infringing material stored on an ISP server, not material stored on an individual's own computer. Several other ISPs also fought back and achieved similar rulings.

Sample Recording Industry Letter Threatening to file a lawsuit (PDF 393k)
Sample Recording Industry Complaint Against an Individual (PDF 13.2MB)
Sony Music v. Michele Scimeca
- Answer to Complaint. January 14, 2004
- Counter Claim. February 4, 2004
Sony Music v. Maalouf
- Answer to Complaint. November 6, 2003
Fonovisa v. Ross Plank
- Answer to Complaint (PDF 20k). October 22, 2003
- Complaint (PDF 3M). September 8, 2003
Fonovisa v. Does
- EFF's Amicus Brief [PDF, 208K] November, 2004
- Exhibits [PDF, 1.7M] November, 2004
- Motion for leave to file [PDF, 96K] December 1, 2004

RIAA v. Verizon

RIAA v. MIT
- Order to Quash (PDF 28k)
- RIAA Motion to Compell (PDF 816k)
- RIAA Oposition to MIT Motion(PDF 943k)
- MIT Motion to Quash (PDF 358k)
- RIAA Repsonse to MIT (PDF 245k)

RIAA v. Boston College
- Warner Bros. v Does 1-43 (NY - Metrocom)
  - Documents to come
Jane Doe Challenge (PDF 2.9M)
Order to Quash (PDF 28k)
RIAA Motion to Compell (PDF 830k)
RIAA Oposition to BC Motion (PDF 962k)
BC Motion to Quash (PDF 46k)
Memorandum of BC (PDF 321k)
RIAA Repsonse to BC (PDF 230k)

SBC/Pacific Bell v. RIAA
(N.D. Cal.)

Judge Illston's Order transferring case to D.C. District Court, (PDF 41k - November 21, 2003)
Amicus Brief drafted by EFF and ACLU where 17 non-profits representing individual consumers opposed the copyright identity subpoenas
- Order Granting Application (PDF 5k - November 17, 2003)
- Amicus Brief in Support of PBIS's Opposition (PDF 364k - November 13, 2003)
- Application for Leave to File Brief (PDF 142k - November 13, 2003)
- Proposed Order Granting Application for Leave to File Brief (PDF 98k - November 13, 2003)
Motion of AOL Time Warner for Leave to File Amicus Brief (PDF 988 k - October 10, 2003)
PBIS' Combined Reply to Oppositions (PDF 1.3MB - November 7, 2003)
Reply of Time Warner to PBIS' Opposition (PDF 234k - November 7, 2003)
MediaSentry, Inc.'s Reply (PDF 509k - November 7, 2003)
RIAA's Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss (PDF 1.1MB - November 7, 2003)
IO Group, Inc.'s Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss (PDF 295k - November 7, 2003)
RIAA's Opposition to PBIS's Objections (PDF 159k - November 7, 2003)
Intervenor's Brief in Response to Plaintiff's Opposition (PDF 922k - November 7, 2003)
Pacific Bell Complaint (PDF 1MB)
- Exhibit 1 (PDF 266k)
- Exhibit 2 (PDF 126k)
- Exhibit 3 (PDF 3.9MB)
- Exhibit 4 (PDF 108k)
- Exhibit 5 (PDF 270k)
- Exhibit 6 (PDF 239k)
- Exhibit 7 (PDF 234k)
- Exhibit 8 (PDF 78k)
RIAA Motion to Dismiss (PDF 152k)
Titan Motion to Dismiss (PDF 300k)
MediaSentry Motion to Dismiss (PDF 180k)
SBC/Pacific Bell Motion for Summary Judgment (on Article III grounds) (PDF 244k)

(D.D.C.)

RIAA Motion to Enforce Subpoena (PDF 1.5MB)
SBC's Opposition to RIAA's Motion to Enforce Subpoena (PDF 177k)

Jane Doe v. RIAA

Doe's Reply in Further Support of Motion to Stay (PDF 181k)
Doe Motion to Intervene (PDF)
Ballard Declaration (PDF)
Offer of Proof (PDF)
RIAA opposition (PDF 544k) to staying enforcement of subpoena with attachments:
- Text of Proposed Order (PDF 13k)
- Declaration of Jonathan Whitehead in Support (PDF 535k)
- Exhibit A to Whitehead Declaration (PDF 2.2MB)
- Exhibit B to Whitehead Declaration (PDF 2 MB)
- Exhibit C to Whitehead Declaration (PDF 69k)
- Exhibit D to Whitehead Declaration (PDF 155k)

Charter v. RIAA

Amicus Brief of U.S. (PDF 242k - February 24, 2004)
Brief of Appellee RIAA (PDF 166k - February 24, 2004)
ISPs' Brief in Support of Charter (PDF 1.3M - January 26, 2004)
Consumer and Privacy Groups' Brief in Support of Charter (PDF - January 26, 2004)
Appellant's Brief (PDF 582k - January 15, 2004)
RIAA Eighth Circuit Opening Brief (PDF 952k - January 6, 2004)
Charter Motion to Quash Subpoena (PDF 204k)
Charter Memorandum in Support of Motion to Quash (PDF 960k)
Charter Motion for Protective Order (PDF 200k)

Charter Memorandum in Support of Motion for Protective Order (PDF 820k)
RIAA Memorandum in Opposition to Charter's Motion for Protective Order (PDF 606k)

RIAA Opposition to Motion to Quash

RIAA Exhibits

Charter Reply in Further Support of Motion to Quash
Motion to quash denied without written opinion
- Motion for Summary Reversal (PDF 39k - December 23, 2003)
- RIAA's Opposition (PDF 95k - January 6, 2004)
Petition for Rehearing February 18, 2005

In Re Subpoena to University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

John Doe Motion to Quash Subpoena Issued by RIAA to UNC (PDF 161k - November 21, 2003)
ACLU's reply brief in support of John Doe's Motion to Quash (PDF 789k - December 31, 2003)

In re Subpoena to North Carolina State University

Jane Doe Amended Motion to Quash Subpoena by RIAA to NC State (PDF)

Model Motion to Quash 512(h) Subpoena (written before RIAA v. Verizon ruling. PDF 4.8M)

Brownback Bill

Brownback Bill
- Brownback Wall Street Journal Editorial (PDF 344k - October 7, 2003)
- Letter in Support of Senator Brownback (September 18, 2003)
- Statement of Senator Brownback (PDF 88k - September 16, 2003)

International

BMG v. John Doe
- Canadian court ruling denying CRIA efforts to force ISPs to identify Canadian file-sharers (PDF 61k). March 31, 2004

Lawsuit Against RIAA Amnesty Program

Parke v. RIAA ("No Clean Slate lawsuit")
- Complaint (PDF 400k). September 9, 2003.

Letter of 95 organizations to Senate committees regarding privacy implications of the DMCA subpoenas

Senator John McCain - Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (PDF)
Senator Leahy - Senate Judiciary Committee(PDF)
Senator Coleman - Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations & Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs (PDF)
Senator Hatch - Senate Judiciary Committee (PDF)
Senator Levin -Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations & Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs (PDF)
Senator Hollings - Senate Commerce & Science and Transportation Committee (PDF)

Other Resources:

August 14, 2003 letter from RIAA to Senator Coleman. (PDF 421k)
August 11, 2003 letter from NetCoalition (an industry coalition of Internet companies) to the RIAA asking questions regarding the RIAA subpoena and litigation campaign. (Download PDF 93k)
The RIAA lawsuit process explained on EFF Cooperating Attorney Charles Mudd's webpage