Today, a U.S. appeals court told the RIAA that it's subpoena-rama is not lawful:
- A U.S. appeals court said Friday the recording industry's methods for tracking down those who copy its music over the Internet are not authorized by law.
The Recording Industry Association of America, a trade group, has sought to force Verizon Communications and other Internet service providers to reveal the names of customers it suspects may be copying music without permission.
Verizon has argued that existing copyright law does not give the recording industry such authority.
"In sum, we agree with Verizon that (the law) does not by its terms authorize the subpoenas issued here," Chief Judge Douglas Ginsburg wrote.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - bhw
Although I have supported the RIAA's right to sue downloaders for copyright infringement, I wholeheartedly applaud this decision! The right to sue doesn't equate to the right to violate privacy. If I'm a downloader, find out who I am without violating my privacy, and then sue me.
2 - Doc
And the Netherlands just ruled Kazaa not responsible for illegal file trading using its software.
3 - Taloran
My hope is that these rulings, and similar ones to follow, will reduce the RIAA to insignificance. Nothing better could happen for the art of music.
4 - TDavid
Put me in the camp that would like to see more self/direct artist promotion.
5 - Eric Olsen
I have to look into it more but this sounds like an absolute vindication of those who have been saying the unreviewed subpoena process is unconstitutional. The more of these kinds of rulings we get, the more the recording industry is going to have to work with the P2P biz. Big day.
6 - BB
It amounts to cyber-stalking which is an invasion of privacy. I can't believe it took this long for the so-called authorities to figure that out. It would appear that the Canadians are ahead of the game. Merry Fricken' Christmas indeed!