Hits Daily Pubishes Reaction To Last Week’s P2P Ruling
From Hits:
Appeals Court judge Sidney R. Thomas wrote, “The introduction of new technology is always disruptive to old markets, and particularly to those copyright owners whose works are sold through well- established distribution mechanisms. History has shown that time and market forces often provide equilibrium in balancing interests, whether the new technology be a player piano, a copier, a tape recorder, a video recorder, a personal computer, a karaoke machine or an MP3 player.”
Sharman Networks CEO Nikki Hemming told the Associated Press, “This is a fantastic result for the peer-to-peer community. This ruling reinforces similar decisions in other courts around the world that P2P is legal.” Australia-based Sharman, which makes Kazaa P2P software, was added as a defendant in the U.S. case and also faces similar litigation in Australia.”
RIAA Chief Executive Mitch Bainwol said of the ruling, “This decision does nothing to absolve these businesses from their responsibility as corporate citizens to address the rampant illegal use of their networks.” Bainwol told the Los Angeles Times that the RIAA would continue to press Congress for new laws to crack down on P2P use.
Said MPAA President Jack Valenti, “Today’s decision should not be viewed as a green light for companies or individuals seeking to build businesses that prey on copyright holders’ intellectual property. We will continue to pursue all avenues in our power to fight those who illicitly profit from our members’ valuable property.”
“I’d say this is Christmas in August for Internet companies,” attorney Christopher S. Ruhland, who previously worked for Grokster/Streamcast plaintiff Walt Disney Co., told the Wall Street Journal. “Basically, the court has given them a road map that says how to steer around the Copyright Act.”
