arista-records
RIAA loses against Yahoo’s Launch Media
The RIAA’s claim that personalized internet radio stations were ‘interactive services’ has been flatly rejected ‘as a matter of law’ by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in Arista Records v Launch Media. In affirming the jury’s verdict in favor of the defendant, Launch Media — acquired during the lawsuit by Yahoo! — the Court said it did not even need to concern itself with possible errors in the jury instructions, since the trial judge should have directed a verdict for defendant ‘as a matter of law’ on the question of whether the radio stations were ‘interactive services’. At pages 23-42 of its 42-page opinion (PDF), the appeals court carefully analyzed how Launch Media’s personalized internet radio stations worked, and noted that the users could neither obtain and play on demand a particular song, nor obtain the transmission of a particular program, thus rendering the RIAA’s claim of ‘interactivity’ meritless.” Ray Beckerman – Recording Industry vs The People Follow p2pnet on Twitter .
Continue reading »Don’t worry, Giganews tells AT&T Usenet users
“Please note that on or around July 15, 2009, AT&T will no longer be offering access to the Usenet Netnews service,” says AT&T’s Usenet site. But we can help, Giganews is telling AT&T customers. In Arista Records v Usenet.com, RIAA motions for discovery sanctions and for summary judgment were granted, “and the matter referred to the Magistrate Judge for determination of damages and an appropriate injunction,” said Recording Industry vs The People recently.
Continue reading »P2P doesn’t violate rights: judge
Spanish copyright society SGAE tried to close down ElRincondeJesus.com which has links to media files for download via eD2K, says Digital Media Wire . “This is the first time a court clearly states that P2P itself does not violate any rights,” it has lawyer Carlos Almeida-Sanchez telling El Mundo. “P2P networks, as a mere transmission of data between Internet users, do not violate, in principle, any right protected by Intellectual Property Law,” it ruled judge Raul N.
Continue reading »Net neutrality: ‘horrifically ambiguous’
Net neutrality can’t happen. Not ever , says Tom Koltai. Repeatedly.
Continue reading »RIAA scores in Usenet case
Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony Music are well-pleased. “In Arista Records v. Usenet.com, Inc., both of the RIAA’s motions — for discovery sanctions and for summary judgment — have been granted, and the matter referred to the Magistrate Judge for determination of damages and an appropriate injunction,” says Recording Industry vs The People .
Continue reading »