MGM Studios v. Grokster
What's at Stake
Reviewing whether the developers of software that allows for peer-to-peer file sharing can be held liable if that software is used by some consumers for copyright infringement when it is also capable of substantial non-infringing uses. DECIDED
Summary
The issue in this case is whether the developers of peer-to-peer file sharing software can be held liable under copyright laws if their software is used by some consumers to exchange copyrighted materials even though it also has substantial non-infringing uses that are likely to grow over time. The position taken by the Court below, and by the ACLU in its amicus brief, is that copyright enforcement should be targeted at those who actually violate the copyright laws and not at software developers, and that stifling technological development will ultimately diminish the marketplace of ideas on the Internet.
Legal Documents
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03/04/2005
ACLU Amicus Brief in MGM Studios v. Grokster
Date Filed: 03/04/2005