Over on RecordingIndustryVsThePeople, they’re writing about *Elektra v. Barker* in the USA. Ms. Baker wanted the complaint dismissed because she didn’t know what she is being accused of.
In response, the RIAA made its most shocking and outlandish arguments to date, claiming that merely having a ’shared files folder’ on one’s computer, and thereby ’making files available for distribution’, is in and of itself a “distribution” and a copyright infringement. I.e., even if the recordings were legally obtained, and even if no illegal copies were ever made of them, the defendant is still guilty of copyright infringement. ¹
This amazing development led to more people joining the fray:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The Computer & Communications Industry Association, and the U. S. Internet Industry Association filed amicus curiae briefs for Baker.
The MPAA filed an amicus brief supporting the RIAA’s argument, the American Association of Publishers requested permission to file a similar brief, and the United States Department of Justice wrote a “Statement of Interest” ² for the other side.
#Copyright