Strike 3 Holdings Subpoena Defense Attorney: 2026 Guide to ISP Letters, Deadlines & Your Options
By Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Principal, Antonelli Law® · Last reviewed: October 2026
If your internet provider sent you a letter about a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena, a federal court has most likely allowed Strike 3 Holdings to ask your provider for the name and address of the account holder linked to an IP address. That letter is serious, but it is not a judgment, and it is not a finding that anyone did anything wrong. This 2026 guide explains what a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena means, how these cases move through the courts, how privacy works, and the options people usually consider.
Free, confidential review, nationwide
Call or tap 312-201-8310 or email or upload your ISP letter and any court document. An attorney will review it and explain your options. A consultation is not a decision to go to court.
What a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena letter from your ISP means
- The lawsuit names “John Doe.” Strike 3 Holdings files in federal court against a John Doe subscriber identified only by an IP address, not by a person’s name.
- Your provider received a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena. Comcast Cable, Spectrum, AT&T Internet, Verizon Fios, Cox and other providers usually notify the account holder before responding.
- Strike 3 Holdings usually does not have your name yet. The provider’s response to the subpoena is how it asks for it.
- The account holder is not always the person who used the connection. A family member, roommate, guest, neighbor or someone on a shared network can use the same IP address. Several judges have said so.
- Your dates control. Each court and judge sets its own timeline. Read your letter and any court order for the dates that apply to you.
For a printable step-by-step list, see the Strike 3 Holdings ISP letter guide. For how deadlines differ by court, see Strike 3 Holdings ISP subpoena orders: deadlines depend on the court.
How a Strike 3 Holdings case moves, step by step
- The complaint. Strike 3 Holdings files a copyright complaint in the federal district where the IP address appears to be located. The complaint attaches a list (often called Exhibit A) of the IP address, dates and works it says were shared using BitTorrent.
- The early-discovery motion. Because it does not know who the subscriber is, Strike 3 Holdings asks the court for permission to serve a subpoena on the internet provider before the normal start of discovery.
- The court order and the subpoena. When the judge grants the motion, the order usually sets rules for the subpoena. Many orders require the provider to notify the subscriber and give time to object before the provider responds. Some orders include privacy protections.
- Your ISP notice and the deadline to object. The letter you received is that notice. It usually states the case number, the court, the IP address and the date by which the provider expects to respond unless a motion is filed.
- Motion to quash or other options. Before the provider responds, an attorney may consider a motion to quash or modify the subpoena, a request to proceed anonymously, or a protective order. These motions are not right for everyone, and grounds that work in one court may not work in another. See when we file motions to quash.
- The provider responds. If no motion stops it, the provider gives Strike 3 Holdings the account holder’s name and address. Strike 3 Holdings’ attorneys may then reach out, or your attorney may contact them first.
- Settlement or defense. Many cases resolve confidentially at this stage. Others are defended in court.
- The amended complaint naming a defendant. If the case does not resolve, Strike 3 Holdings may file an amended complaint that names a person and then serve it. Some courts let the defendant stay anonymous; others require the name in the public record. See what the amended-complaint stage means and when judges make the defendant’s name public.
Anonymity and confidentiality
Privacy is usually the first concern people raise after a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena, and it is a reasonable one. In many courts, the order allowing the subpoena also lets the defendant proceed as John Doe, at least in the early stages. Many people resolve these cases confidentially through counsel, often without their name ever appearing in the public court record.
There are limits. A few judges have ruled that the defendant’s name belongs in the public record once an amended complaint is filed unless there is a strong reason for privacy. And a document you file yourself can put your name and address on the public docket. That is why we suggest you do not file anything on your own before getting advice. Read more: why filing your own motion can destroy your privacy and does an anonymous settlement release me personally?
Your consultation with Antonelli Law® is confidential.
Settlement vs. defense: your options in plain terms
- A quiet, anonymous resolution. Most people who contact us want this. Terms depend on the facts of each matter and on what the client wants.
- Challenge the subpoena. Depending on the facts and the court, an attorney may file a motion to quash or ask the court to let you proceed anonymously.
- Defend the case in court. If the facts support it, Antonelli Law® defends Strike 3 Holdings cases in federal court. There are real costs and risks either way, and we explain both.
See the pros and cons of settling with Strike 3 Holdings, and our main Strike 3 Holdings defense page on antonelli-law.com.
What to do now
- Read the whole letter calmly. You do not have to decide anything today.
- Write down the full case number and court (for example 1:26-cv-09853), including the courthouse location digit, and the dates in the letter.
- Keep every document as it is. Do not delete files, wipe devices or uninstall software.
- Do not contact Strike 3 Holdings or its attorneys yourself, and do not discuss the case online.
- Do not file anything in court on your own without advice.
- Get a free confidential review. Call 312-201-8310 or email or upload your ISP letter and any court document.
What you Can Learn
Our short videos explain some of the important things to know about the Strike 3 Holdings lawsuit process, and your main options right now.
Many clients have told us our videos are very helpful. Click the image below to watch.
Meet two of the attorneys who handle Strike 3 Holdings subpoenas
Every consultation is with an attorney. Here are two members of our BitTorrent defense team, each with a review from one of their own clients.
Alec Dardis, Associate
Alec Dardis
Associate, Antonelli Law®
Alec Dardis is an Associate at Antonelli Law®, where he represents clients in BitTorrent copyright defense, including Strike 3 Holdings subpoena cases.
Born and raised in Southern California, Alec was a competitive junior tennis player and captain of the Men’s Division 1 tennis team at Colgate University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. After working as a law clerk for a mid-sized law firm in Orange County, California, he received the Dean’s Scholarship to attend DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. At DePaul he earned a CALI Excellence for the Future Award (highest grade) in Negotiations, made Dean’s List, and graduated with a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Intellectual Property. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Phone: 312-201-8310. Email: adardis@antonelli-law.com.
What one of Alec’s clients wrote:
Posted by anonymous | September 30, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Avvo
Highly Recommend Alec Van Dardis
“We had a consultation with Alec and he explained our options in detail. He made us feel comfortable and gave us time to ask a lot questions. At the end of the consultation we made another appointment so we could decide which option to take. We felt that we were in good hands starting with consultation. Alec was thorough in explaining very step, what we needed to do and the timing. He was a great communicator, always followed up and very professional. We are very grateful for all Alec did to get this case closed. We would highly recommend Alec to others that need his expertise.”
Melissa Ross, Senior Associate
Melissa Ross
Senior Associate, Antonelli Law®
Melissa Brabender Ross is a Senior Associate at Antonelli Law®. She represents clients in BitTorrent copyright defense and in employment and labor law, and assists firm Principal Jeffrey Antonelli in the Drone/UAS Practice Group. She has represented clients in federal, state and administrative proceedings, has substantial trial and deposition experience, and has successfully argued numerous contested substantive motions.
A native of Ohio, Melissa earned her Juris Doctor with honors from the DePaul University College of Law, where she was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with honors from the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is a member of the General Bar of the Northern District of Illinois.
Phone: 312-201-8310. Email: mross@antonelli-law.com.
What one of Melissa’s clients wrote:
Posted by anonymous | June 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawyers.com
“Woking with Melissa was fantastic. She was really effective in communicating with me in layman terms; translating legalize, explaining the process and making me feel I was in really good hands. She was always reachable and extremely prompt in communicating the back and forth between opposing counsel. I couldn’t have asked for more from Melissa. Because of the time zone, I was catching her late in her evenings and she always responded – THANK YOU. Sometimes you get lucky with the initial interview process, and I certainly did.”
Alec and Melissa work alongside firm Principal Jeffrey J. Antonelli and attorney Paul Sanders. Jeffrey’s Avvo profile shows 177 client reviews.
Recent Strike 3 Holdings filings by state
We track new Strike 3 Holdings filings by court. If your letter lists one of these courts, these posts may help:
- Tennessee filings (Sept. 29–Oct. 5, 2026)
- Wisconsin filings (Sept. 30, 2026)
- California filings: Sacramento and Santa Ana and Central District of California (Los Angeles area)
- New York subpoenas to Verizon and Spectrum and Eastern District of New York
- Amended complaints in New Jersey and New York
- North Carolina filings (Charlotte and Raleigh)
- Georgia filings
- Michigan filings and Ohio filings
- Hawaii filings: Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom
- Got a Spectrum subpoena notice?
Since 2015, Antonelli Law® has represented clients in 44 states and Washington, D.C., with the most in California, New York, Illinois, Texas and Florida.
Strike 3 Holdings subpoena FAQ
What does a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena letter from my ISP mean?
It usually means a federal judge allowed Strike 3 Holdings to subpoena your internet provider for the name and address of the account holder linked to an IP address in a John Doe copyright lawsuit. Your provider is telling you before it responds. It is not a judgment, and it is not a finding that you did anything wrong.
Is a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena the same as being sued?
The lawsuit has already been filed, but against a John Doe identified only by an IP address. At this stage Strike 3 Holdings generally does not know who you are. It learns the account holder’s name only if the provider responds to the subpoena.
How long do I have to respond to a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena notice?
Each court and judge sets its own timeline. Many orders give the account holder a set number of days after the provider’s notice to object or file a motion to quash before the provider responds. The dates in your own letter and the court order are the ones that matter.
Can I stay anonymous in a Strike 3 Holdings case?
Often, yes. Many people resolve these cases confidentially through counsel without their name appearing in the public court record. Some judges, however, require the defendant’s name to be public once Strike 3 Holdings files an amended complaint, so it helps to get advice early.
Should I file a motion to quash the Strike 3 Holdings subpoena myself?
We do not recommend filing anything on your own without advice. A document you file yourself can put your name and address in the public court record, which is the very information the subpoena seeks. An attorney can explain whether a motion to quash or a motion to proceed anonymously fits your facts and your court.
Do I have to settle with Strike 3 Holdings?
No. Settlement is one option. Others include challenging the subpoena and defending the case in federal court. Most people who contact us want a quiet, anonymous resolution, and we also defend cases in court when that is the better path.
Can Antonelli Law help if my case is outside Illinois?
Yes. Strike 3 Holdings cases are filed in federal courts across the country, and Antonelli Law® represents clients in these cases nationwide. You can email or upload your ISP letter and any court document for a free, confidential review.
More questions? See the full Strike 3 Holdings FAQ.
Got a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena letter from your ISP?
Most people we talk with want a quiet, anonymous resolution. We also defend cases in court when that is the better path. The first step is a free, confidential review of your letter, wherever you live in the U.S.
Call or tap 312-201-8310, or email or upload your document.
Schedule Your Free Confidential Strike 3 Holdings Consultation
Email or upload your ISP letter and any court document. Choose the attorney you prefer. A consultation is not a decision to go to court.
Alec Dardis
Melissa Ross
Jeffrey Antonelli
Paul Sanders
Book Your Free Confidential Consultation →
Prefer to talk now? Call 312-201-8310.
Related reading
- What to do when you receive a Strike 3 Holdings ISP letter
- Strike 3 Holdings FAQ
- Strike 3 Holdings ISP subpoena orders: deadlines depend on the court
- When judges make a Strike 3 Holdings defendant name public
- Does an anonymous Strike 3 Holdings settlement release me personally?
- Pros & cons of settling with Strike 3 Holdings
This page is general information about Strike 3 Holdings subpoenas and similar BitTorrent copyright cases. It is not legal advice for any one case, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Client reviews describe individual experiences; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Antonelli Law® defends people and businesses against copyright claims and does not represent copyright holders. Attorney advertising. Last reviewed: October 2026.
TORRENT DEFENDERS® is a federally registered trademark owned exclusively by the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd. dba Antonelli Law.
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About Author
JAntonelli
Jeffrey Antonelli is a member of the federal trial bar of the Northern District of Illinois and is admitted to numerous federal courts around the country. He has been a civil litigator nearly 25 years in a broad range of actions representing corporations and individuals as plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court. Jeffrey has been interviewed by the media many times, including Bloomberg BNA, NBC, The New York Times, Chicago Lawyer, Chicago Tribune, and the longstanding lawyer’s publication Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Prior to forming Antonelli Law Ltd. in 2007 Jeffrey worked for several litigation boutiques in Chicago’s Loop as well as a full service firm. His litigation experience includes hotly contested issues in intellectual property, business, insurance, and consumer fraud. He is an adviser to the Illinois Board of Higher Education Advisory Council for Private Business and Vocational Schools (PBVS), and was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Education Law Section Council from 2012-2013. Jeffrey is especially proud of his work representing hundreds of students defrauded by improperly accredited educational institutions, including as certified class counsel. Before attending law school, Jeffrey was interested first in business, and then in biomedical ethics. These interests led him to graduate from the nation’s largest philosophy department at Loyola University in Chicago, where some of his favorite (and most challenging) subjects were cognitive science and philosophy of science. During college he held positions at the University of Chicago’s Ben May Institute; as a medical assistant for a University of Chicago foot and ankle surgeon; and volunteered in the emergency room at the University of Chicago Hospitals. These experiences led to studying health law at the DePaul College of Law where Jeffrey earned his law degree and a certificate in health law. At that time DePaul’s Institute for Health Law was consistently ranked in the top 10 health law specialty programs nationwide. During law school Jeffrey immersed himself in studying the practical and public policy aspects of health care through internships at the American Medical Association in Chicago, and on Capitol Hill at the Governmental Relations Office of the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, DC. Jeffrey has concentrated in civil litigation throughout his legal career, and is a member of the federal trial bar of the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of Illinois federal court, and all federal courts of Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. In addition, he is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Jeffrey prides himself on his strong personal ideals, passionate, ethical advocacy, and working hard to bring the best possible results for his clients. He also maintains a special interest in cases involving fraud. Whether due to good parenting, his family’s law enforcement employment, undergraduate studies in philosophy including ethics, or a fortuitous outcome of good breeding, one essence of Jeffrey’s character is a drive to root out the truth behind fraudulent practices.