Serial Plaintiff Tracker: Who is Suing, What they Want, and What to Do

Some plaintiffs file hundreds or thousands of nearly identical cases every year, counting on most recipients to pay quickly. This page lists the active ones Jonathan Phillips defends against, what each claims, and where to read more. Updated October 2026.

Who is filing now

BitTorrent: Strike 3 Holdings

  • What they claim: Adult films shared over BitTorrent, under the Copyright Act

  • Recent activity: About 5,800 federal suits since January 2025, about 290 of them in the Northern District of Illinois [verify]

  • Read more: Strike 3 Holdings subpoena and lawsuit defense

BitTorrent: Flava Works Entertainment

  • What they claim: Adult videos shared on torrent sites, under the Copyright Act

  • Recent activity: Suits in the Northern District of Illinois in 2024 and 2025

  • Read more: Strike 3 Holdings subpoena and lawsuit defense (the same defenses apply)

BitTorrent: independent film companies (Capstone Studios and others)

  • Counsel on the letter: Kerry S. Culpepper, Culpepper IP

  • What they claim: Films shared over BitTorrent, under the Copyright Act

  • Recent activity: New Doe suits in 2026 in the District of Hawaii and the District of Colorado

  • Read more: Strike 3 Holdings subpoena and lawsuit defense (the same defenses apply)

Bars and venues: Joe Hand Promotions and Zuffa (UFC)

  • Counsel on the letter: Ryan Janis (Jekielek & Janis); Julie Lonstein (Signal Law)

  • What they claim: Fight broadcasts shown in a bar or restaurant without a commercial license, under 47 U.S.C. §§ 553 and 605

  • Recent activity: 32 new Joe Hand suits in two months this spring, per Jonathan's April 2026 post

  • Read more: Signal piracy defense for bars and restaurants

Bars and venues: J&J Sports Productions and G&G Closed Circuit Events

  • Counsel on the letter: Thomas P. Riley; for G&G, also David M. Diaz

  • What they claim: Boxing and fight broadcasts shown without a commercial license, under 47 U.S.C. §§ 553 and 605

  • Recent activity: About 75 G&G federal suits since January 2025

  • Read more: Signal piracy defense for bars and restaurants

Bars and venues: BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, and GMR

Websites: Higbee & Associates, Copycat Legal, and PicRights

Websites: TCPA class actions

  • Counsel on the letter: Jibrael S. Hindi; Anthony Paronich; Avi Kaufman; Greenwald Davidson Radbil; Scott Edelsberg

  • What they claim: Marketing texts or calls sent without consent, to Do Not Call numbers, or outside 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., under 47 U.S.C. § 227

  • Read more: TCPA text and call lawsuit defense

Websites: CIPA privacy claims

  • Counsel on the letter: Pacific Trial Attorneys; Tauler Smith LLP; Kevin Lemieux; Swigart Law Group

  • What they claim: Pixels and trackers on a website, under California Penal Code §§ 631 and 638.51

  • Read more: CIPA pixel and tracking lawsuit defense

Online sellers: Schedule A brand owners

  • What they claim: Marketplace sellers selling infringing goods, under trademark, patent, or copyright law

  • Recent activity: Hundreds of Northern District of Illinois cases a year

  • Read more: Schedule A litigation

What these cases have in common

  • Volume. The same complaint or letter goes to many people, so the opening number is set to get a fast payment, not to match what a court would award.

  • Statutory damages. Each statute lets a plaintiff ask for set damages without proving actual harm, which makes the numbers in the letter look large.

  • Real defenses that get skipped. Identity, registration, consent, standing, and how courts actually award damages all change the outcome.

  • Deadlines. Answer deadlines and subpoena dates come quickly, and silence usually makes things worse.

What to do in the first week

  1. Do not call or write to the plaintiff's lawyer yet.

  2. Keep everything: the letter, envelope, emails, and any notice from your internet provider.

  3. Do not delete files, accounts, or website code; that can create a separate problem.

  4. Write down the date you received it and any deadline it states.

  5. Talk to a lawyer before responding. A short consultation usually tells you what you are facing.

How I handle these

Jonathan has defended serial-plaintiff cases since the early BitTorrent suits, in federal courts across the country, with local counsel where needed. Law360 has named him a leading defense attorney in pay-per-view piracy litigation. He has handled hundreds BitTorrent matters and signal piracy matters. Flat fees are available for most of these matters.

Jonathan L.A. Phillips, Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP. Last reviewed October 2026. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.