Never Post When We Fight We Win
Nov 5, 2025
In this discussion, Paul Levy, a public interest lawyer with Public Citizen, delves into the Pool World v. Prepared Food Photos case, shedding light on internet free speech and combating copyright trolls. He explains how discovery was used as a weapon against the troll's inflated licensing claims. Levy shares insights into PFP's questionable business model and how they relied on intimidation rather than fair practices. The conversation highlights the importance of legal strategies in defending against copyright abuse and the implications for future cases.
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Small Business Stands Up To A Threat
- Pool World received a threatening settlement letter demanding $30,000 over an old grill photo and refused to be bullied into paying.
- The store's principled stance and community reputation motivated them to fight rather than fold.
Licensing Claims Mask A Lawsuit Business
- Discovery exposed that Prepared Food Photos made far more from infringement claims than licensing.
- Most of PFP's employees focused on finding targets to threaten, revealing a litigation-first business model.
Force Trolls To Show Their Cards
- Use the discovery rule challenge to force a copyright claimant to prove equitable behavior before tolling statutes.
- Compel wide discovery into licensing and finances to test whether their damages theory is honest.
