Rob Cashman
Publications & Legal Education
Rob is the author of TorrentLawyer™, an educational resource containing more than 200 articles explaining copyright litigation, ISP subpoenas, IP address evidence, and Internet-related legal issues.
Through his writing, Rob provides practical explanations of complicated legal issues for clients, attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the public seeking to better understand technology-related litigation.
Other Writing & Research:
Outside of his legal practice, Rob is the founder of Missing Variables™, an independent project exploring questions involving science, philosophy, observation, and the nature of knowledge.
Legal Philosophy
Legal disputes involving technology can be confusing and overwhelming. Rob believes clients deserve straightforward explanations, practical advice, and a clear understanding of their options. His goal is to provide thoughtful legal strategy while helping clients navigate complex legal issues with confidence.
Can an Internet Subscriber Be Held Liable for Someone Else’s Copyright Infringement?
An IP address may identify an internet connection, but it does not automatically identify the person who committed the alleged copyright infringement. Whether an internet subscriber can be held legally responsible depends on the evidence connecting that individual to the unlawful activity. Subscriber liability does not arise merely because their name appears on the internet … Read more
Patent Valuation Methods: Market Pricing vs. Expert Analysis (Two Decades Later)
TL;DR – Ocean Tomo pioneered market-based patent valuation nearly two decades ago, introducing auctions and the Bid-Ask Market® to bring transparency, liquidity, and consensus pricing to IP transactions. While traditional analyst-driven valuation remains critical for litigation, licensing, and complex portfolios, Ocean Tomo’s hybrid approach—combining market signals with expert analysis—represents the most balanced method for determining … Read more
Ansys Software Lawsuits vs. Siemens Software Lawsuits: Why Defendants Should Not Assume the Same Strategy
Ansys software lawsuits and Siemens software lawsuits are both civil copyright infringement actions involving alleged unlicensed use of engineering software. However, Siemens lawsuits historically emphasize license compliance and customer conversion, while Ansys lawsuits often involve high-pressure settlement demands, asset inquiries, and punitive negotiation strategies. Defense approaches that may work in Siemens cases may be ineffective … Read more
Should You Settle an Ansys Software Lawsuit? What Accused Defendants Need to Know
Ansys software lawsuit settlement is optional and depends on defendant circumstances. Factors include commercial use, duration of use, ability to pay, and risk tolerance. High settlement demands are often used as leverage rather than reflective of actual damages. Strategic evaluation should occur before engaging in settlement discussions. TL;DR: Ansys Software Lawsuit Settlement Is a Choice, … Read more
Ansys Software Lawsuit Walkthrough: What to Do If You Received an ISP Subpoena or John Doe Notice
Ansys software lawsuits are civil copyright infringement actions filed in federal court against anonymous John Doe defendants. Ansys identifies alleged infringers through IP addresses and uses ISP subpoenas to obtain account holder information. These cases are not criminal and do not automatically require settlement. Defendants generally fall into categories such as non-users, non-commercial “tinkerers,” commercial … Read more