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It’s now apparent that Verizon is fed up with the avalanche of mass-BitTorrent lawsuits and is determined to put an end to copyright trolls’ extortion-like practices. The Internet provider is asking a Texas court to grant discovery so it can expose how these companies operate. According to Verizon, copyright trolling practices don’t belong in court and the ISP equates the companies involved with “schoolyard bullies who push and shove until firm opposition is met when they shrink away.”verizonTwo weeks ago a group of adult movie companies sued Verizon for failing to hand over the personal details of alleged BitTorrent pirates.The Internet provider had ignored court orders and Malibu Media, Patrick Collins and Third Degree Films asked the court to hold Verizon in contempt and compel the company to respond to the subpoenas.This week Verizon responded to the claims with a frontal attack.Verizon is asking a Texas federal court to grant discovery so the ISP can expose how the “copyright trolls” in question operate. Verizon’s motion is short, but leaves very little to the imagination.In its filing Verizon states that the copyright holders “pursue a scheme which, if not illegal, is at a minimum of a type to which the courts should not lend their powers and support.”The provider has therefore decided to turn the tables. Instead of exposing the identities of their customers, they want to be granted discovery themselves so they can request sensitive information on the companies involved. An unusual request at this stage of a case, but needed because many of Verizon’s customers are unable to defend themselves.“The circumstances are also unusual because the persons subject to potential abuse by the Plaintiffs’ approach are unlikely to be able, for financial reasons, personal reasons, or Plaintiffs’ tactical approach to those who do actively oppose them, to effectively oppose the Plaintiffs’ oppressive and unfair methods,” Verizon writes.
