Grumpy Librarian writes “The ALA has a press release on the Supreme Court ruling in the Grokster case.
The American Library Association (ALA) today applauded the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, LTD, hailing the ruling as a victory for libraries and consumers.
Focusing its ruling on the inducement principle of patent law rather than on Sony [the 1984 ruling that a company can’t be held liable just because it’s product could be used to infringe on copyright], the Court clarified that peer-to-peer file sharing companies could be held responsible for copyright infringement only when they actively encourage infringement.
ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano said, “today’s Supreme Court decision marks a victory for fair use and the rights of libraries and the public in a digital age.” She continued, “the Court has protected the ability of consumer electronics manufacturers to develop new products and services without fear that they will be held liable for unintended infringement.”“
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