$35,000 Copyright Threat Crushed: U2U Law Won a Total Victory

Category Intellectual Property Law Location California, USA

• Case intro

$35K Copyright Threat Crushed: How U2U Law Won a Total Victory for a San Francisco Client

The Shakedown

A San Francisco resident faced an aggressive $35,000 copyright demand after unintentionally using an image online. A predatory law firm:

• Bombarded our client with threatening letters
• Refused to provide proof of actual damages
• Demanded immediate payment to “avoid litigation”

• our process

Our Counterattack

U2U Law’s intellectual property team launched a three-prong defense:

✔ Legal Reality Check

• Demanded full documentation of the alleged infringement
• Verified the claimant’s actual copyright registration
• Uncovered no evidence of financial harm

✔ Strategic Pushback

• Cited fair use protections and de minimis doctrine
• Threatened counterclaims for abusive copyright tactics
• Refused to pay speculative “license fee” demands

✔ Total Standoff

• Called their bluff on litigation threats
• Forced them to either sue or walk away
• They walked away

• Result Driven

The Victory

• $0 Paid – Complete dismissal of all claims
• No Settlement – No admission of wrongdoing
• Client Vindicated – No longer living in fear

Why This Matters

✅ Most “copyright trolls” fold when challenged
✅ Actual damages must be proven
✅ You have rights even when you make a mistake

Facing Copyright Extortion?

From image disputes to DMCA threats, we protect individuals against IP bullying.

Results vary. Not a guarantee of outcome.

• $35,000 demand→ $0 paid
• No lawsuit filed
• Client’s reputation protected
• Predatory tactic exposed