Background: Earlier today, the U.S. District Court, New York City, ruled that the file-sharing service LimeWire was liable for copyright infringement. The decision is here.
The following statement is attributed to Sherwin Siy, deputy legal director of Public Knowledge:
“While, we believe the court’s decision is, on the whole, not unreasonable given the circumstances of the case, there are some troubling aspects to the court’s reasoning.
“In determining whether LimeWire induced infringement, the court properly looked at the company’s marketing and communications to users. On the other hand, we are troubled when this court, or any court, tries to determine whether infringement has taken place based on the technical capabilities of a product or service. Our goal, as we and others expressed in an amicus brief, is that technological innovation should be protected.”
The amicus brief is here.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.