ACS:Law solicitor facing fines

Defendants in the ACS:Law cases are seeking costs after the Patents Court dismissed the lawsuits.

ACS:Law filed 27 cases at the court near Chancery Lane in London, accusing the defendants of illegal filesharing.

However, yesterday the presiding judge Judge Birss threw the cases out claiming: "If ever there was a case of conduct out of the norm, it is this one."

The lawyer responsible for filing the cases and sole representative of the firm, Andrew Crossley, now faces costs that could run into the tens of thousands for wasting the court's time.

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One law firm involved in defending five of the accused, Ralli Solicitors, has called for 90,000 to be awarded to its clients, and others may follow suit.

ACS:Law came into the public eye after sending around 10,000 letters on behalf of their client Media CAT to suspected illegal filesharers, telling them to pay a 500 fine or face court. However, both organisations have since closed their doors.

Crossley did not attend the final hearing.

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