Strike 3: California Judge OKs Subpoena to Identify IP Address of Subscriber

Strike 3: California Judge OKs Subpoena to Identify IP Address of Subscriber

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A Southern California U.S. district court judge last week granted Strike 3 Holdings permission to subpoena internet service provider Spectrum in order to obtain the name and address of the subscriber behind a specific IP address that the company — which owns the copyrights of content produced by the Vixen Media Group brands — alleges has been “downloading and distributing their films.”

The complaint — filed in February and one of thousands of similar lawsuits Strike 3 has filed over the last few years — claims that a John Doe subscriber has been “stealing” their content “on a grand scale.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford allowed Strike 3 to serve Spectrum a subpoena “to learn defendant’s identity” in order to "pursue this lawsuit and protect its copyrights."

As XBIZ has reported, Strike 3 has had different rulings around the country when requesting these subpoenas. The chief objection mentioned by magistrates who refuse to grant them is that, even if Strike 3’s investigators have traced alleged piracy to a specific IP address, the subscriber behind that address might not necessarily be the person violating their copyrights, or in the case of badly secured networks, even know about it.

In this case, however, Judge Crawford ruled last Tuesday that Strike 3 "may serve a subpoena pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 upon Spectrum for the sole purpose of obtaining the name and address only of defendant John Doe, based on the IP address listed for him in the complaint."

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Show More