Media & Entertainment Law

RIAA victory round-up and notes

Here are some perspectives on the much-publicized RIAA victory ($220K plus jury verdict) this week against the P2P file-sharer, Jammie Thomas:

Bob Lefsetz takes his music industry to task, with rhetorical flourish:  "What the fuck are we gonna DO ABOUT IT?"

Dennis Crouch compares to "patent sharks" of the 19th century, and resulting patent reform.  Is there such a thing as a copyright troll?

Bill Patry gives us the detailed copyright analysis on the jury instructions -- quite interesting about liability for "making available" versus "downloading". 

Recall Mitch Bainwol's slide deck at NARM in 2005, about "building a brighter future" for the music industry, which cites success of user lawsuits and public approval for same -- "maintaining resolve" and "enhancing deterrence".    

Last there's the IFPI statement on the Thomas case:  "We have always made it clear we are reluctant litigators."   Don't see a press release on the RIAA site.

Full post as published by Silicon Valley Media Law Blog on October 07, 2007 (boomark / email).