In the copyright wars, the world’s largest music, television and motion pictures companies lost a huge battle after an appeals court ruled that Internet software distributors cannot be held liable for aiding copyright infringement.
Mitch Bainwol, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America, issued a statement saying the appellate court ruling, “does not absolve these businesses from their responsibility as corporate citizens to address the rampant illegal use of their networks.” He insisted that the record industry would continue to seek legal and legislative remedies to address the ongoing illegal activity.
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) president and CEO Jack Valenti warned that the decision was not a green light for companies or individuals seeking to build businesses that prey on copyright holders’ intellectual property.
Valenti said the appeals court drew a clear distinction between legal online sharing and the widespread piracy of copyrighted music, films and TV programs.