Landmark Ruling: Court Orders Disclosure of IP Address Subscriber Information in Copyright Infringement Case
Minneapolis, MN – July 29, 2025 – In a significant development for online copyright enforcement, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota has issued an order compelling an internet service provider to disclose the identity of a subscriber associated with a specific IP address. The case, Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe subscriber assigned IP address 73.164.111.125, marks a notable step in the ongoing efforts to address alleged copyright infringement in the digital realm.
The ruling, published on July 29, 2025, at 20:29, stems from a lawsuit filed by Strike 3 Holdings, LLC, a company known for enforcing copyrights related to adult films. The plaintiff alleges that the IP address in question, 73.164.111.125, was used to illegally download and distribute copyrighted material.
In cases of alleged online infringement where the identity of the infringing party is unknown, copyright holders often resort to filing “John Doe” lawsuits. These lawsuits allow them to initiate legal proceedings against an anonymous defendant identified only by their IP address. The subsequent step, as seen in this Minnesota district court case, is to seek a court order, often referred to as a subpoena or a writ of discovery, directed at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that assigns that IP address. This order requests the ISP to reveal the subscriber information linked to the IP address at the time of the alleged infringement.
The court’s decision to grant this disclosure is crucial for copyright holders like Strike 3 Holdings, as it allows them to move forward with their legal actions by identifying and potentially serving the alleged infringer. While the specifics of the evidence presented to the court were not detailed in the initial publication, such orders are typically granted when the plaintiff demonstrates a reasonable basis to believe that the IP address was indeed involved in infringing activity and that the subscriber information is necessary to pursue the claim.
This ruling highlights the continuing legal challenges and evolving landscape of copyright law in the digital age. It underscores the balance courts attempt to strike between protecting intellectual property rights and safeguarding the privacy of internet users. As digital piracy remains a concern for content creators and rights holders, such legal mechanisms are vital tools in their efforts to uphold copyright protections.
The outcome of this case, as it progresses, will be closely watched by copyright holders, ISPs, and internet users alike, offering further insight into the legal avenues available for addressing online copyright infringement.
25-2381 – Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe subscriber assigned IP address 73.164.111.125
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