2 thoughts on “Supreme Court to Hear File-Sharing”

  1. Studios lose?

    Given that the studios have lost, appealed, lost, appealed, and lost again… I wonder what’s going to happen this time?

    Allowing copyright holders to sue a tool maker because their tool allows duplication of copyrighted works is like sueing axe-makers because their tools can kill someone. Oy. Stupid. Yet it’s before the Supremes AGAIN, and there’s a chance they might overturn the fair-use doctrines introduced by the Betamax decision…

    —
    Matthew P. Barnson

  2. Needed To Win

    I think that in order for the studios to prevail they need to get an inside document, or recorded conversation, from the Grokster honchos detailing their ploy to build a tool that enables illegal file-sharing.

    It would have to be a document that reads like this…

    “From: People Who Made Grokster To: Other People Working At Grokster Subject: Building something so that people can share files online which someday can be construed as copyright infringement in a court of law

    Hey Guys! I just got finished with the last line of code. It’s going to be perfect! Just think, we were all sitting around the table in the house of MICHAEL G. DONALDSON on April 14, 2002 {picture attached with notarized signature} discussing ways to build a software that will allow people from around the world to illegally swap files from such movies studio including, but not limited to, the following:

    -Sony -MGM -Warner Bros.

    I think we should release this weekend. I’m so glad we decided to intentionally build this with the direct intent to aid others in their infringing actions!

    Please make sure everyone gets a copy of this official internal memo with my actual signature.”

    That would probably give the studios a chance. Otherwise, I agree with Matt. Because if the studios prevail, I’m going after computer companies for building computers that they know are vulnerable to attacks from viruses. Oh, and gun manufacturers. I’m going after them as well.

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