Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
Fourth Circuit to Weigh ISP Copyright Liability for Peer-to-Peer File Sharing by Subscribers
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is gearing up to hear argument in BMG Rights Management v. Cox Communications, one of the first attempts by the music industry to hold an Internet Service Provider (ISP) liable for unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing by its subscribers. The Fourth Circuit will be asked to decide two crucial questions of copyright law: 1) what kind of repeat infringer policy must a service provider implement to qualify for the safe harbor under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA); and 2) can an ISP be held contributorily liable for its subscribers' actions, notwithstanding that its service — providing access to the Internet — is capable of substantial non-infringing uses.
The District Court Action Against Cox
On Nov. 26, 2014, BMG and Round Hill Music launched the dispute by filing a complaint against Cox in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The plaintiffs claimed that thousands of Cox subscribers had used Cox's network to illegally download copyrighted works via peer-to-peer file sharing programs, and argued that Cox should be held vicariously or contributorily liable for their infringement.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?