Reddit Requests Over $55,000 in Legal Fees in Anti-Piracy Subpoenas Fight Seeking User Identities

• In an ongoing piracy lawsuit with filmmakers asking for user identities, Reddit seeks legal compensation.
• Reddit cites the filmmakers' persistent efforts and claims that the subpoenas were not substantially justified.
• The subpoena dispute was called a publicity initiative by the Reddit representative.

Reddit’s legal dispute with a group of filmmakers over subpoenas seeking the identities of users who commented on topics related to piracy has recently resulted in a motion filed in a California Federal Court that seeks $55,204 in attorneys’ fees incurred during its successful defense.

In the motion, Reddit cites the filmmakers' repeated requests for user data and claims that the subpoenas were not substantially justified. 

The company alleges that they are part of a broader anti-piracy publicity campaign aimed at intimidating users and discouraging discourse about piracy, which could have a chilling effect on online free speech.  

“An adverse ruling [...] would permit non-party discovery to unmask pseudonymous Reddit users notwithstanding their First Amendment rights to anonymous online speech,” noted Reddit’s attorney in regards to the platform’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression.  

Over the past two years, Reddit has faced three separate cases where the filmmakers demanded user details, claiming the comments would serve as evidence against internet service providers (ISPs) in piracy liability lawsuits.  

The filmmakers, including Voltage Holdings, say these user comments would prove how ISPs failed to enforce effective policies against repeat infringers, ultimately supporting piracy.

However, Reddit has consistently defended its users’ right to anonymity, stating that such demands are both intrusive and irrelevant. Federal courts have upheld Reddit’s stance in all three cases.  

A ruling in Reddit's favor could help digital platforms and their users defend against overly intrusive demands and safeguard online free speech.