While some ISPs like Charter Communications are quick to give up their customer's information to the likes of the US Copyright Group, some unusual ISP maneuvers have emerged. Who would've thought that Time Warner Cable would be the ISP to successfully fight the USCG on the number of subpoena's it processes each month? Although there has been sporadic activity from ISPs (Verizon brought up a technicality over the weekend), there has been very little ISP opposition - until now.

Are you familiar with Midcontinent Communications? No? Most haven't haven't either, and probably most BitTorrenters haven't too - but they might soon be their new best friend. According to Cnet, Midcontinent Communications filed a motion to quash the subpoenas it received in the ongoing Voltage Pictures (Hurt Locker) vs. John Does lawsuit. They claim the basis for the motion stems from a few issues.

Unfortunately, the motion has yet to be uploaded into the electronic database, so there's not much to go on. But from the Cnet article, the ISP is claiming improper jurisdiction - since they are located in Minnesota and lawsuits are stemming from DC. They also claim that the USCG has not offered to compensate them for the work and effort it will take to cross check the 143 IP addresses. Lastly, and perhaps most important for users, is their desire to keep their customer's identifiable information safe.

What will happen to Midcontinent's effort to quash remains unknown, but win/lose/draw, it's another wrench thrown into the USCG money making machine.

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