While Brett Gibbs has "parted ways" with Prenda and its copyright trolling, from all appearances he was an instrumental part of many of its efforts. Of course, the three main players, John Steele, Paul Hansmeier and Paul Duffy, were quick to throw Gibbs under a bus in Judge Wright's courtroom after Gibb's repeatedly told courts that he was little more than a puppet for Steele and Hansmeier. In Judge Wright's order, however, he lumped Gibbs in with Steele, Hansmeier and Duffy as being jointly and severally liable for the amount owed.

While Judge Wright's most recent order told Gibbs to officially withdraw from the cases, it doesn't mean that Gibbs has been let off the hook for payment. In response, it appears that Gibbs is basically begging Judge Wright for mercy, highlighting that he's completely broke and has expensive medical bills due to his brain cancer. It is a sob story, and you do feel bad for the guy... but then you remember some of his actions during the course of all of these cases, including more than a few absolutely ridiculous claims and tactics, and in how he dealt with opposing counsel. And, of course, there's the fact that he was involved in an operation that is being widely accused (by a federal court judge, among others) of perpetrating a massive shakedown scheme, threatening people with a lawsuit for gay porn if they don't pay up.

Yes, it's sad that Gibbs got brain cancer. I don't wish that on anyone. And it's sad that he's got less than $500 in his bank account and over $50,000 in debts. But, perhaps he should have thought of all of that before getting involved in a scheme that threatens thousands of people with highly questionable lawsuits if they don't pay up. Still, the main targets of Judge Wright's focus are clearly Steele, Hansmeier, and Duffy, so it'll be interesting to see if he agrees to let Gibbs off the hook in some manner.