Law Firm Accused of Bullying Alleged File Sharers

The tables turn – Atari and other major game publishers have chosen Davenport Lyons to represent them numerous times and the law firm quickly made a reputation for hunting alleged copyright infringers. However, according to GI.biz, the firm is now being investigated for harassment and bullying by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, an industry watchdog.

It’s been two years since the consumer group Which? started to point to the wrongdoings of the firm which had adopted the policy of sending out letters accusing people of illegal file sharing.

The letters relied very much on intimidation, demanding a £300 damage fee or risk being be taken to court. This caused Which? to dub the warnings as "excessive" and "bullying". The group in a recent statement said that "Davenport Lyons was making incorrect assertions about the nature of copyright infringement and ignoring evidence presented in defence. It added that the letters incorrectly claimed their recipients were legally responsible for ensuring their internet connections were properly secured."

The investigation which blows a little wind of change in the system was hailed by Adds Deborah Prince, head of legal affairs at Which? who said: "We're pleased to see some action at last from the SRA and hope the tide is finally turning in favour of consumers. We now want to see some decisive action to stop these bully-boy tactics."