Porn Copyright Lawyers Indicted for Conspiracy, Fraud

Two lawyers conspired to lure internet users into downloading adult-oriented films and then sue them on behalf of “sham” clients, according to a federal indictment revealed today by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.

The lawyers operated through multiple entities based in the U.S. and overseas, including a law firm called Prenda Law, the indictment said.

The government alleges that the lawyers — Paul R. Hansmeier of Minnesota and John L. Steele of Illinois — originally represented copyright holders in legitimate infringement actions. But later, they started “seeding” their clients’ films on torrent sites like ...