If your internet provider (like Verizon Wireless or Hawaiian Telcom) sent you a letter saying a movie company has a court order for your personal information, you are not alone. And you are not out of options.

This page explains exactly what is happening, what it means for you, and what to do next.

What Is This Lawsuit?

A company called Boy Kills World Rights, LLC has filed a federal copyright lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. 1:26-cv-00298-JAO-WRP). Boy Kills World Rights, LLC is affiliated with Capstone Studios, Corp., a film production company.

The lawsuit targets individuals who allegedly downloaded the 2024 film Boy Kills World using BitTorrent, a file-sharing program. Boy Kills World is a dystopian action comedy starring Bill Skarsgård, released in the United States by Lionsgate Films and Roadside Attractions on April 26, 2024.

The case currently names “Does 1 through 6”: meaning the plaintiff does not yet know the defendants’ real names. They only have IP addresses.

What Does It Mean to Be a “Doe Defendant”?

Being named as a “Doe” in a lawsuit means the plaintiff identified your IP address as one associated with downloading the film. They do not know your name yet.

Here is how the process works:

Right now, the plaintiff only knows an IP address. They do not know who you are.

That gap, between the subpoena and the disclosure, is your window to act.

Important: Your IP Address Does Not Prove You Did Anything

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of these cases. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Cobbler Nevada, LLC v. Gonzales that being the internet subscriber associated with an IP address does not, by itself, prove you downloaded the file.

Others in your home, guests, or someone accessing your network could be responsible. An experienced attorney can evaluate who had access to your connection and what defenses apply to your specific situation.

What Should You Do Right Now?

Your window to act is typically 30 days or less from the date your ISP sent you the notice.

Do these things immediately:

• Do not delete anything. Deleting files can look like evidence tampering and may make your situation worse.
• Do not contact the movie company or their attorneys directly.
• Do not sign any paperwork sent by the plaintiff without having an attorney review it first.
• Contact a copyright defense attorney who concentrates in federal BitTorrent cases as soon as possible.

The sooner you act, the more options you have. Once your ISP releases your name, your negotiating position weakens, and costs often increase.

Your Defense Options

Most clients settle anonymously. This means the settlement agreement uses your IP address as the identifier, just as the court identifies you in the lawsuit. Your attorney signs the agreement as your agent. Your name does not have to appear. Settlement funds flow through the firm’s Client Trust Account to the movie company, which also protects your payment details from being disclosed.

Nearly 100% of Antonelli Law clients resolve their cases without going to court. Most settlements are finalized within 2-3 weeks.

What Are the Potential Damages?

Under federal copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 504), standard statutory damages range from $750 to $30,000 per work infringed, at the court’s discretion.

Two things you need to understand:

• The $150,000 figure is the absolute maximum ceiling for willful infringement. It is not a standard outcome.
• Receiving an ISP notice does not automatically make your case willful. To establish willfulness, the plaintiff must prove both that infringement occurred and that the defendant knew it was happening, or acted with reckless disregard. This requires actual legal proof, not just the fact that a notice was sent.

Attorney’s fees that a court may award to the prevailing party under 17 U.S.C. § 505 are also entirely at the court’s discretion. They are not automatic.

An Open Legal Question in This Case

There is a legal question in this case that may be significant for Doe defendants: the timing of the plaintiff’s copyright registration.

Under U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 412), a copyright holder must register their work before the infringement occurred, or within three months of the work’s first publication, in order to be eligible for statutory damages and attorney’s fees.

Boy Kills World was released in the United States on April 26, 2024. That means the three-month registration window would have closed on or around July 26, 2024.

If the copyright was not registered within that window, there is a potential argument that the plaintiff may be limited to actual damages only, rather than the higher statutory damages discussed above. Actual damages are typically lower and harder for a plaintiff to prove.

This is an open question that requires attorney review. We are not stating a conclusion here. The specific registration date for this film and how it affects available remedies in this case must be confirmed by an attorney. Speak with a copyright defense attorney to understand how this may apply to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Boy Kills World Rights, LLC?

Boy Kills World Rights, LLC holds the copyright to the film and filed this lawsuit. It is affiliated with Capstone Studios, Corp., a production company that has filed similar BitTorrent copyright lawsuits in the past. Antonelli Law has experience representing clients in Capstone Studios cases.

I don’t live in Hawaii. Can you still help me?

Yes. Federal copyright cases are filed in federal court, where all filings are made electronically. We represent clients nationwide and can file in any federal district in the country. You do not need a Hawaii-based attorney.

My internet is shared: with roommates, a building network, or others. Does that change anything?

It can. Courts have recognized that the registered subscriber is not automatically the person who downloaded the content. If multiple people had access to your connection, that is a relevant fact. An attorney can evaluate what it means for your specific situation.

What is a motion to quash and is it the right move?

A motion to quash asks the court to block your ISP from releasing your information. It does not reveal your identity. However, these motions are denied more often than they succeed in BitTorrent cases, and a denial compresses your remaining timeline. Most clients choose anonymous settlement. An attorney can help you evaluate which approach fits your case.

Will my name become public if I settle?

Not if you settle anonymously. The settlement agreement uses your IP address as the identifier, not your name. We sign as your agent. Once the case is resolved and dismissed, your name does not enter the public court record.

What if I just wait and see whether the plaintiff pursues me?

It carries real risk. Once your ISP releases your information, the plaintiff decides whether to dismiss or move forward. If they move forward, you may be served with a summons, at which point your options narrow, costs typically increase, and you have only 21 days to respond. Waiting does not reduce your risk. It reduces your options.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation.