A notorious porn copyright troll XArt/Malibu Media used multiple lawfirms to extort money from alleged pirates over the last decade. First it was Lipscomb Eisenberg and Baker (now “Lipscomb Partners“), then Pillar Law, and, until recently, Lomnitzer Law Firm P.A., which ceased the representation in August 2019. The two former relationships ended scandalously: Lipscomb and Malibu sued each other in 2016 and there is now an ongoing dispute between Colette Pelissier (X-Art’s owner) and Pillar. Also, X-Art is being sued by an investor.

Now Lomnitzer Law has followed suit and sued Malibu for breach of contract demanding $280,058.32 plus interest (The Lomnitzer Law Firm, P.A. v. Malibu Media, LLC, FLSD 20-cv-80027-RKA):

Beginning at a date presently unknown, Malibu instructed attorneys in various jurisdictions that were representing Malibu in the nationwide litigation that was being coordinated by the Firm to by-pass the Firm and to remit settlement monies from such litigation other than to the Firm while still expecting the Firm to pay court filing fees, process server fees, etc., all incurred for and on behalf of and for the benefit of Malibu.

There are no good guys here: Lorri Lomnitzer should have known that the Malibu Media legal campaign was highly unethical. When vermin eat each other, decent people win.

Note a familiar name in the complaint:

Client [Malibu], beginning at a date unknown to the Firm, engaged attorney Jason (Jay) Kotzker to handle various matters including resolution of the failure of Client to pay the Firm’s invoices

The fact that Kotzker has not been disbarred reflects poorly on Colorado and New York Bar Associations.

Coverage

• Techdirt: Malibu Media’s Former Law Firm Says The Copyright Troll Has Been Screwing It Out Of Settlement Payments
• TorrentFreak: ‘Copyright Troll’ Malibu Media Gets Sued By its Former Law Firm
• Lawful Masses with Leonard French (YouTube): Inside a Copyright Trolling Scheme – Malibu Media sued by Law Firms & Investors