ACS:Law goes abroad

Controversial law firm ACS:Law, which was fined for sending letters demanding money to thousands of UK ISP customers that it accused of file sharing, appears to be using the same money-making tactics overseas.

The firm ceased trading in the UK in February this year, after it was told to pay its own legal costs when all eight of the illegal internet copyright infringement cases that it brought to court were dismissed by a judge.

Andrew Crossley, the sole proprietor of ACS:Law, was declared bankrupt at the time but, according to a BBC report, he may be back in business after Ralli Solicitors, which represented some of those accused by ACS:Law during a UK court case, said it is now advising a client based in Greece that received letters from ACS:Law.

One letter is reported to have been sent on behalf of Germany-based company DigiProtect, the owners of copyright of various films and music rights.

The letter states that the firm has been using forensic computer analysts to identify internet addresses from which their works are being made available on peer-to-peer programs, and requests a compensation payment of £1665 or else court action will be taken.

The letter asks that cheques be made payable to ACS:Law and supplies a London address.

Update: Crossley has since denied that the firm has been pursuing file sharers overseas, branding the letters as a scam and nothing to do with him, according to reports.