[Discussioni][davidefugazza a mac.com: [Copywhat] [NEWS] Legal victory for file-swappers]

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To: copywhat a lists.perchetopi.org
From: Davide Fugazza <davidefugazza a mac.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 22:28:45 +0100
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Subject: [Copywhat] [NEWS] Legal victory for file-swappers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3336127.stm


Legal victory for file-swappers
A US court has ruled that the music industry cannot force internet 
service providers to identify subscribers who swap music files online.

The ruling could deprive the record industry of its most effective 
means of bringing illegal downloaders to book.

Hundreds of music file-swappers are facing the threat of legal action 
after being identified by their internet service providers.

One, California-based Bob Barnes, described the ruling as "incredible."

"It's a blow for the little guy," he said.

Obstacles

US telecom giant Verizon, which has previously been forced to provide 
the names and addresses of downloaders, also welcomed the District of 
Columbia Appeals Court ruling.

"Consumers' rights cannot be trampled upon in the quest to enforce (the 
music industry's) copyright," a spokeswoman for the company said.

Cary Sherman, president of the Recording Industry Association of 
America (RIAA), said the music industry would "continue to defend our 
rights online on behalf of artists, songwriters, and countless others 
involved in bringing music to the public."

The ruling means that record companies will have to file lawsuits 
against anonymous defendants, and then take separate legal steps to 
discover their names.

This will make it far more expensive and time-consuming to pursue those 
who download music illegally.

Pay up

However, the ruling will not affect some 382 lawsuits that have already 
been filed against music downloaders.

Some 220 financial settlements under which downloaders have agreed to 
pay penalties of up to $7,500 each are also expected to go ahead.

The music industry partly blames the rise of file-swapping - where 
internet users give each other free access to music stored on their 
computers - for a steep slump in sales of recorded music.

Tens of millions of Americans are thought to use online file-sharing 
networks.

The industry has tried to respond by setting up its own online music 
operations, which allow users to download music for a fee.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/3336127.stm

Published: 2003/12/20 00:10:37 GMT

© BBC MMIII

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