Would it be possible to sue/countersue after receiving an extortion letter?

[Hal]

While doing research online, I'm surprised at how many cases exist where people made an honest purchase from one party who legally owned the copyright, only to be extorted by another at a future date.  For example when people purchase a photo from one image supplier (which is legally licensed to sell), but then is sent an extortion letter by another years later (perhaps as the result of mergers, or even photographers licensing multiple distributors).

In such a case, is is possible to countersue for extortion?  If someone could win a case such as this, it would be a beautiful move to stop this type of behavior and set a good precedent, no?  Would the potential damages awarded deter the extortion business model?

[Matthew Chan]

You can sue anyone for any reason. The question is whether the case would stand up in court and if you can win it.

If you want to be successful in a lawsuit, you will have to build up a case so that you had a fighting chance to have it taken seriously and ultimately win.

Matthew