Game Publishers Launch RIAA-Style Lawsuit Campaign in U.K.

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 20, 2008 - 10:14am.

London - A group of video game publishers that includes Atari and Codemasters is preparing to launch a legal campaign against illegal downloading in the U.K., similar to the route taken by the RIAA in the U.S. The London-based law firm of Davenport Lyons intends to send the same type of "pre-litigation settlement letters" employed by the RIAA to 25,000 suspected game file-swappers in the U.K., giving them the opportunity to pay 300 pounds ($558.36) to avoid a lawsuit.

The law firm has also asked the U.K. High Court to compel Internet service providers there to provide the real identities of 7,000 suspected file-swappers.

The firm announced that it has already lodged a court victory against a U.K. woman for sharing computer game files on peer-to-peer networks.

Isabela Barwinska has been ordered to pay game publisher Topware Interactive over 16,000 pounds ($29,800) for sharing its "Dream Pinball 3D."

Davenport Lyons said it has been employing Switzerland-based Logistep in its investigations, to record IP addresses of file-traders.

"The damages and costs ordered by the Court are significant and should act as a deterrent. This shows that taking direct steps against infringers is an important and effective weapon in the battle against online piracy," said David Gore, a partner at Davenport Lyons.

Times Online reports that the law firm intends to file suit against as many as 500 suspected file-swappers who reject their settlement offers.