A number of blogs are providing coverage and analysis of today's Supreme Court decisions, which include the closely watched MGM-v-Grokster case. The court ruled unanimously in entertainment companies' favor, saying that makers of filesharing technologies can be held responsible for infringing uses of their products. Snip from opinion by Justice David H. Souter (Link to 24-page PDF of opinion):
We hold that 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, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties.
My blog-mate Cory will no doubt have more to say on that case, but for now, here's a quick batch of a few relevant links:
* Copyfight
* How Appealing
* SCOTUSblog, and here's their Grokster post.
* Ernest Miller's blog, where you'll find several posts: Wall Street Journal Roundtable on Grokster, Grokster Loses – Unanimously – Inducement Test?
* Freedom to Tinker
Link to the full text of the Supreme Court's Grokster ruling (PDF, 55 pages).
For today's edition of the NPR program "Day to Day," I spoke with host Madeleine Brand on the Grokster ruling and what it means for the future of tech development. Link to today's edition, archived audio will be available online after 12pm PT.
I'll also be talking with hosts of CNN's Showbiz Tonight later today about today's tech law rulings. The show airs at 4pm PT and 7pm ET.
