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Supreme Court Rules Against P2P File Sharing Services

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios v. Grokster, LTD., Argued March 29, 2005, Decided June 27, 200. Opinion author: Souter

  • “Held: One who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, going beyond mere distribution with knowledge of third-party action, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device, regardless of the device’s lawful uses. Pp. 10—24.”
  • Links to Syllabus; Opinion/Souter; Concurrence/Ginsburg; Concurrence/Breyer.
  • WSJ Free Content is hosting a online Grokster Roundtable, with “a panel of legal experts from both sides of the case to discuss the ruling.”
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