MGM v. Grokster

The US Supreme Court has ruled against file-swapping companies Grokster and StreamCast Networks in their high profile battle with the content indusries. The court sought to leave the 1984 Sony Betamax decision untouched, but added the notion of active inducement. Although the 9-0 decision was a loss for Grokster, the court provided a potential roadmap for future P2P services by ruling that there is no liability for knowledge of potential or actual infringement; no liability for product support or technical updates, and (absent other evidence of intent) no liability for failure to take affirmative steps to prevent infringement. Decision at http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/04-480.html

Media coverage at
http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/MGM_v_Grokster/
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,121603,00.asp
http://www.forbes.com/home/technology/2005/06/27/grokster-file-sharing-copyright-cx_ah_0627grokster.html
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=24224
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/index.php?blogthis=1&p=1552
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=adGEwGUNftnQ&refer=home
http://news.com.com/2100-1030_3-5764998.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-5764787.html
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,68018,00.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/business/28media.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/technology/28peer.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/technology/28grokster.html