Movie Producers Drop Copyright Lawsuit against Texas ISP

On October 27, 2023, a collection of movie producers including Millennium Media, Voltage Pictures, and Screen Media Ventures dismissed their copyright infringement lawsuit against Astound Broadband regional provider Grande Communications. The producers had filed suit against Grande in 2021, alleging that Grande had not done enough to stop internet users from pirating the producers’ films. Grande denied the producers’ allegations and also contended that the producers’ claims were barred by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) safe harbor, because Grande implemented a company policy under which it terminated the internet access of customers accused of copyright infringement.

“This completely vindicates our DMCA program,” explained Astound’s General Counsel Jeff Kramp. “The plaintiffs had an opportunity to vet our program, and after doing so they decided the case was not worth pursuing. To be clear, we did not pay a cent to resolve this case because we believe strongly in the effectiveness of our DMCA policy,” Mr. Kramp added.

The case is After II Movie, LLC, et al. v. Grande Communications Networks, LLC, No. 1:21-v-709-RP, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Grande is represented by Richard Brophy, Zachary Howenstine, Kyle Gottuso, and Mark Thomas of Armstrong Teasdale LLP, and Jacqueline Altman of Naman Howell Smith & Lee.

About Astound Broadband

Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning high-speed internet, broadband communications solutions, TV, phone services, and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, and regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

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