Tuesday, July 31, 2007

US Dept of Justice May Intervene in Atlantic v. Boggs to Help RIAA Defend Constitutionality of $750-per-song damages theory

In Atlantic v. Boggs, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where the defendant has interposed not just an affirmative defense challenging the constitutionality of the RIAA's $750-per-song file damages theory, but interposed a counterclaim to that effect as well, thus prompting the RIAA to move to dismiss the counterclaim, the United States Department of Justice has requested, and the Court has granted, an extension of time in which to consider intervening in the case to defend the theory.

The Department of Justice has been granted 60 days in which to intervene, if it so chooses.

The validity of the unconstitutionality argument was previously upheld by Judge David G. Trager in UMG v. Lindor where it had been interposed as a defense, rather than as a counterclaim.

Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time*
Order Granting Dept. of Justice 60 days to Intervene*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

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before youkillyourcomputer.com
afterdawn.com


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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Michelle Santangelo Files Answer; Counterclaims for Copyright Misuse and Breach of Duty to Warn

In Elektra v. Santangelo II, following the Court's having vacated the default judgment taken by the RIAA against Michelle Santangelo, Ms. Santangelo has now filed her answer, counterclaiming for copyright misuse and breach of duty to warn.

Answer and Counterclaims of Michelle Santangelo*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet.net

Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Monday, July 30, 2007

RIAA Backtracks in Knoxville, Tennessee, case, Warner v. Paternoster, Moves to Strike Own Documents

The Knoxville News Sentinel now reports that after the RIAA filed a massive document containing more than 4200 irrelevant files included solely for the purpose of "shaming" the defendant into settling, it has now backtracked and made a motion to strike all but 367 of the original 4604 files.


Commentary & discussion:

TechDirt
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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Saturday, July 28, 2007

University of Kansas Refuses to Forward RIAA Letters

It has been reported by the University Daily Kansan that the University of Kansas has refused to forward the RIAA's "early settlement" letters. (Thank you to the Chronicle of Higher Education for reporting on it, and to Slashdot for reporting on the Chronicle of Higher Education's coverage):

University won't release names to recording industry

Spokesman says KU will not be third party in legal cases

The University is refusing to forward pre-litigation letters from the recording industry to it’s students on the grounds that doing so could be an invasion of student privacy.

Earlier this month, the Recording Industry Association of America sent 408 pre-litigation settlement letters to 23 universities. The University of Kansas will notify individual students by mail if it received a complaint connected to a student’s IP address. The University will not, however, forward students the RIAA pre-litigation letter, which gives them the opportunity to settle out of court.

Jenny Mehmedovic, coordinator for information and technology policy and planning, said under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the University has no obligation to forward the letters to students. It also will not release any identifying information without a court order or subpoena.

Complete article


Commentary & discussion:

Chronicle of Higher Education
Slashdot
p2pnet



Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Sunday, July 22, 2007

23 New Colleges Added to RIAA Hit List

p2pnet reports that 23 new colleges have been added to the RIAA's hit list:


RIAA student victimisation campaign

p2pnet news | RIAA news:- ........

In the sixth wave of blackmail, the RIAA is targetting 23 universities nationwide with 408 ’settlement’ letters.

“Since launching its deterrence program in February 2007, the RIAA has sent approximately 2,423 pre-litigation settlement letters to universities nationwide,” it boasts without shame. “The letters are in addition to the lawsuits that the RIAA continues to file on a rolling basis against those engaging in music theft via commercial Internet accounts.”

Singled out for special attention this time around are:

State University of New York at Morrisville, Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Delaware, Northern Michigan University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, George Washington University, Ohio State University, New Mexico State University, Eckerd College, University of Minnesota, California State University - Monterey Bay, University of Kansas, University of Missouri - Rolla, University of San Francisco, Case Western Reserve University, Northern Arizona University, San Francisco State University, University of Tulsa, Franklin and Marshall College, Western Kentucky University, and Santa Clara University.

Colleges and universities should be ashamed

“Students on campuses throughout the United States, many of whom are experiencing their first year as members of university communities, are facing unprecedented legal intimidation at the hands of the recording industry,” says Ohio lawyer Joe Hazelbaker.

“It appears that many institutions are simply prepared to wash their hands, refusing even to question the tactics of the industry, let alone providing meaningful legal assistance to their students,” he told p2pnet, going on:



In fact, one university has advised its students that they could use the recording industry’s attorney as ‘an information source’ despite the obvious conflicts. This is true despite the fact that the colleges and universities enabled the network on which the alleged activity took place, knew that the alleged activity could take place, failed to educate incoming students regarding the issues, and neglected to use available technology to prevent the alleged activity.

Many of the students targeted were required to live in university housing because they were deemed not mature enough to live off-campus (ie, many campuses require first and second year students to live on-campus). Yet, they are now apparently mature enough to be left on their own to defend themselves against the recording industry.

These colleges and universities should be ashamed.


Complete article



Commentary & discussion:

Slashdot
Privacy Digest
Heise Online (German)
IT Avisen (Norwegian)
ZeroPaid\
p2pnet.net






Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Saturday, July 21, 2007

List of Record Labels on the RIAA's Frequent Plaintiff List

Here is a list of the "frequent plaintiffs" in the RIAA cases:

Arista
Atlantic
BMG
Capitol
Elektra
Fonovisa
Interscope
Lava
Loud
Maverick
Motown
Priority
SONY
UMG
Virgin
Warner




Commentary & discussion:

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Idolator


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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Default Judgment against Michelle Santangelo vacated; RIAA seeks $513 in attorneys' fees

According to court papers filed by the RIAA in Elektra v. Santangelo II, the default judgment it had taken against Michelle Santangelo was vacated by the Court at the July 13th status conference. Recording Industry vs. The People has not yet seen an order embodying that ruling.

In the court papers, the RIAA seeks to be reimbursed for $513 in attorneys fees incurred in (a) procuring the default judgment, and (b) preparing for post-judgment enforcement.

The papers indicate that Richard L. Gabriel's hourly billing rate is $375.

Update:

Subsequent to the publication of this post, we obtained a copy of the Court's docket sheet entry recording the Court's vacatur of the default judgment.


July 18, 2007, Declaration of Richard L. Gabriel*
Minute entry for July 13, 2007, conference, vacating default judgment*

*Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet (July 13th story on vacatur of judgment)
p2pnet (July 19th story on Richard L. Gabriel attorneys fees)
Slashdot
E-Pressen



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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Knoxville News Sentinel Reports that Army Sergeant Wrongfully Targeted by RIAA is Fighting Back in Tennessee in Warner v. Paternoster

The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee reports that an Army Sergeant stationed at Fort Campbell, who has been targeted by the RIAA for file sharing he did not commit, has fought back, counterclaiming against the record companies for copyright misuse, in Warner v. Paternoster:

Music industry countersued
Soldier: Record labels violated his privacy, abused copyright law

By Andrew Eder
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Music-industry litigation tactics against suspected online music pirates face a challenge in Tennessee, with an Army sergeant arguing that record labels have engaged in a “conspiracy” to defraud courts and violate privacy rights.

The claims come in response to a lawsuit against Nicholas Paternoster of Clarksville, Tenn., 33, soldier at nearby Fort Campbell, who is accused of infringing copyrights by using the peer-to-peer file-sharing program Kazaa to distribute songs online.

.........................

In the response, Paternoster denies the allegations of copyright infringement and responds with a counterclaim charging that the record labels are abusing copyright law.

The labels, “ostensibly competitors in the recording industry, are a cartel acting together in violation of the antitrust laws and public policy,” allege Paternoster’s attorneys from the Nashville law firm Beam & Rogers.

The countersuit points out that although the recording industry singled out only six songs whose copyrights were infringed, the complaint includes screenshots of more than 4,600 files from Paternoster’s personal computer, including hundreds of apparently pornographic pictures and movies.

According to another document filed in the case, Paternoster was unaware that the Kazaa software was installed on his computer. While on a tour of duty in Germany from 2004 to 2005, the document says, another soldier downloaded the software and set up a Kazaa account under Paternoster’s name.

Last summer Paternoster discovered the software and “thousands of files downloaded on his computer by the soldiers he housed,” and he uninstalled the software and deleted the files, according to the document.

Kazaa and other file-sharing networks often make a computer’s files available for download by other network users, which allows the RIAA’s investigators to document instances of copyright infringement. The file-sharing option can be disabled, but many users never realize they are making their files available.

By including the full list of Paternoster’s files in the public record, the record labels invaded his privacy and are trying to “shame” him into accepting their demands, his attorneys argue.

“Such actions by the Counter-Defendants are a blatant misuse of their right to investigate potential copyright infringement and violate public policy,” the countersuit reads.

The attorneys list a host of other common complaints about recording industry tactics, including targeting dead, disabled and unknowledgeable people with lawsuits; relying on Internet Protocol addresses to identify defendants; making “extortionate threats” and seeking “exorbitant settlement amounts” through the RIAA; and invading defendants’ privacy by pursuing “John Doe” lawsuits and subpoenas without the individual’s knowledge.

Complete article
Answer and Counterclaim

Here are some extracts from the counterclaim:
A 33-year old Army Sergeant stationed at Fort Campbell, in Tennessee, has counterclaimed against the record company palintiffs, in Warner v. Paternoster. His counterclaim seeks forfeiture of the plaintiffs' copyrights, and other relief, against Warner, BMG, Arista, Virgin,, and UMG, based on his claim (pdf) that they "are competitors in the business of recorded music...and [together with] their attorneys have engaged in a wide-ranging
conspiracy to defraud the Courts of the United States and to violate the privacy rights of Counter-
Plaintiff Paternoster.....are a cartel acting together in violation of the antitrust laws and public policy, by litigating and settling all cases similar to this one together, and by entering into an unlawful agreement among
themselves to prosecute and to dispose of all cases in an identical manner and through common lawyers....[and] invaded the privacy of ... Sgt. Paternoster by accessing the private files on his computer via the Kazaa software which Counter-Plaintiff Paternoster did not know was installed on his computer..... under the guise of protecting their copyrighted materials, printed off hundreds of pages listing approximately 4,604 personal and private files of Counter-Plaintiff Sgt. Paternoster located on his computer ...[and] then filed these pages listing these 4,604 personal files ... in an attempt to place ... Sgt. Paternoster in an unattractive light due to the nature of the personal files....[They] included the list of these 4,604 personal files even though they only claim that Counter-Plaintiff Paternoster infringed the copyrights on six (6) song files..... By making the list of these files identified on Exhibit B to the Complaint part of the public record, Counter-Defendants seek to shame ... Sgt. Paternoster into giving in to their unreasonable demands regarding their copyrighted materials....Such actions by the Counter-Defendants are a blatant misuse of their right to investigate potential copyright infringement and violate public policy. They have impermissibly searched the private files of Counter-Plaintiff Paternoster without his consent and made a list of those potentially embarrassing files available to the public....In addition ....[they] conspired together on other activities in furtherance of their conspiracy including: (1)
bringing, without investigation sufficient to establish that the allegations and factual contention
therein have evidentiary support, lawsuits against persons who are not specifically known to have
infringed copyrights, including persons who are deceased, disabled or who lack knowledge of
how to use computers or download files from the internet; (2) making false and unsupported
allegations that the defendants in these actions, including Counter-Plaintiff Paternoster, have
infringed copyrights, by making the unwarranted and technologically erroneous assumption that
an Internet Protocol address is a unique identifier of a computer or an individual; (3) using a
corporation as their agent to make extortionate threats to take criminal action and to defame
defendants’ names and credit, in order to force defendants to pay sums which have no relation to
plaintiffs’ actual damages, if any, and by delivering releases to settling defendants (few of whom
are represented by counsel) which are fraudulent, in that they do not constitute true releases of all
claims by putative plaintiffs, thereby misleading settling defendants into erroneously believing that
they cannot be sued again; (4) jointly agreeing upon exorbitant settlement amounts which are nonnegotiable
and are arbitrarily increased at set intervals thereby depriving the defendants in these
actions of any reasonable opportunity to negotiate a settlement; (5) commencing ex parte “John Doe” lawsuits which they have no intention of pursuing, but by means of which they are able to communicate with District Judges, Magistrate Judges, and other judicial officials on a daily basis, without providing defendants with notice or opportunity to be heard, in violation of attorneys’ ethical obligations as officers of the Courts; (6) invading the privacy of these “John Doe” defendants by then serving subpoenas on Internet Service Providers without notice to the putative defendants; (7)withdrawing such actions upon being challenged and thereby preventing
defendants from obtaining relief for having to defend them; and (8) engaging in other unconscionable conduct.....[They] have commenced tens of thousands of actions in the District Courts of the United States in the past five years, the overwhelming majority of which have resulted either in default judgments or extortionate settlements far in excess of any actual damages incurred by Counter-Defendants... Such actions represent an attempt by Counter-Defendants to secure for themselves rights far exceeding those provided by copyright laws.... Such acts constitute misuse of copyrights, and lead to a forfeiture of the exclusive rights granted to Counter-Defendants by those laws of the United States....Counter-Plaintiff is entitled to a judgment that Counter-Defendants have forfeited the exclusive rights, if any, which they possess in and to the sound recordings which they allege
Counter-Plaintiff Sgt. Paternoster infringed."



Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet


Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Scheduling Order Entered in Elektra v. Santangelo II

In Elektra v. Santangelo II, the case against two of Patti Santangelo's children, a scheduling order has been entered calling for pretrial discovery to be concluded in January, 2008. The order also referred all discovery issues to Magistrate Judge Mark Fox. The order was silent as to whether the Court was vacating the default judgment taken against Michelle Santangelo, but the order, in a typed section, referred to "defendant" rather than "defendants".

July 13, 2007, Scheduling Order*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Monday, July 16, 2007

Judge Awards $68,685.23 in Attorneys Fees Against RIAA in Capitol v. Foster

In Capitol v. Foster, in Oklahoma, the Court has order the RIAA to pay the defendant Debbie Foster $68,685.23 in attorneys rees and costs.

This is the first attorneys fee award, of which we are aware, against the RIAA.

Ms. Foster was represented by Marilyn Barringer-Thomson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

July 16, 2007, Order and Decision Directing RIAA to Pay $68,685.23 in Attorneys Fees*

Related stories:

-RIAA "Reconsideration" Motion and "Reasonableness Inquiry" Cause Capitol v. Foster Fees to Double From $55k to $114k
-Judge Denies RIAA "Reconsideration" Motion in Capitol v. Foster, Calls Plaintiffs' Counsel "Disingenuous", Motives "Questionable"
-In Capitol v. Foster, Court Directs RIAA to Turn Over Attorney Billing Records to Ms. Foster's Lawyer, Rules that Documents Are Confidential
-Judge Grants Debbie Foster's Attorneys Fees Motion in Capitol v. Foster

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation


Commentary & discussion:

Ars Technica
Slashdot
p2pnet.net
The Register
The Inquirer
C/Net
Gossamer Threads
The Consumerist
Doom 9
Download Squad
IDG Now (Portugese)
Slyck
ZDNet
UnderNews
EFF Deep Links
Wired.com
Hard OCP
Heise Online (German)
Variety
The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times
IDG.se (Computer Sweden) (Swedish)
MSNBC.com (Clicked)
FreeRepublic.com
Idolator
Overclock.net
Furd Log
QuizLaw
Digg
Digg (Ars Technica report on story)
C/Net Japan (Japanese)
AfterDawn.com
Defective By Design, Inc.
Hollywood Reporter ESQ
MP3.com
CrunchGear
SOS PC (French)
MythTV


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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Prof. Mike O'Donnell of University of Chicago Questions Premise of RIAA Ex Parte Applications

Jon Newton of p2pnet reports:




IP addresses and identities

p2pnet news view | RIAA news:- The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) recently suffered another defeat in a bid to force an American university to hand over student identities.

On Recording Industry vs The People, “It’s not key to this decision, but I am disturbed by the assumption about IP numbers that appears to be accepted without question in a number of legal discussions, including this court decision,” posted University of Chicago professor Mike O’Donnell, quoting the section that bothered him.

“Plaintiffs have identified each defendant by the unique Internet Protocol (”IP”) address assigned to that defendant on the date and time of their alleged infringing activity,” it reads. ”

“Plaintiffs seek to discover from the College the identity of the persons to whom these IP addresses were assigned.”

O’Donnell goes on >>>>>>>>>>>

1. IP addresses are never assigned to persons. They are assigned to network interfaces on particular hosts or virtual hosts. A virtual host is pretty much any computational abstraction we like.

Complete article


Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Virginia Judge Denies RIAA Ex Parte Motion Against College of William and Mary students in Interscope v. Does 1-7

In Interscope v. Does 1-7, an ex parte proceeding in the Eastern District of Virginia, in Newport News, Virginia, in a 5-page decision by Judge Walter D. Kelley, Jr., the Court denied the RIAA's ex parte motion for an order granting discovery into the identities of students at the College of William & Mary.

This is the second such ex parte motion of which we are aware that has been denied recently, the first being Capitol v. Does 1-16, in which the RIAA sought information about University of New Mexico students.

July 12, 2007, Denying Ex Parte Motion for Discovery*
(Published at 494 F. Supp. 2d 388)vacated on reconsideration 6/20/08)

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet
Slashdot
Ars Technica
Slashdot (Story on multiple cases)
The Flat Hat

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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Friday, July 13, 2007

RIAA Accepts Formal Offer of Judgment of $300 in North Carolina case, Capitol v. Frye

In a North Carolina case, Capitol v. Frye, the RIAA accepted a formal "Offer of Judgment" of $300.

Offer of Judgment and Notice of Acceptance*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

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Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Thursday, July 12, 2007

RIAA Subpoenas Documents from Verizon in UMG v. Lindor

Some four years after first serving a subpoena on Verizon, the RIAA has served a new subpoena duces tecum (subpoena for documents) in UMG v. Lindor.

The documents being sought are listed on the third page, in Attachment A.

July 10, 2007, Subpoena Duces Tecum from RIAA to Verizon Internet Services, Inc.

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet


















The above donation button links to a PayPal account established by Marie Lindor's family for people who may wish to make financial contributions to Ms. Lindor's legal defense in UMG v. Lindor. Contributions are not tax deductible.



Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

New Article by Harvard Professors Nesson and Palfrey Tells RIAA : "Take a Hike"

In a new article, Professors Nesson and Palfrey, of Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, had this to say:

Universities to RIAA: Take a Hike
by Charles Nesson & John Palfrey

Recently, the president of the Recording Industry Association of America, Cary Sherman, wrote to Harvard to challenge the university administration to stop acting as a "passive conduit" for students downloading music. We agree. Harvard and the 22 universities to which the RIAA has sent "pre-litigation notices" ought to take strong, direct action...and tell the RIAA to take a hike.

This Spring, 1,200 pre-litigation letters arrived unannounced at universities across the country. The RIAA promises more will follow. These letters tell the university which students the RIAA plans on suing, identifying the students only by their IP addresses, the "license plates" of Internet connections. Because the RIAA does not know the names behind the IP addresses, the letters ask the universities to deliver the notices to the proper students, rather than relying upon the ordinary legal mechanisms.

Universities should have no part in this extraordinary process. The RIAA's charter is to promote the financial interests of its corporate members – even if that means preserving an obsolete business model for its members. The university's charter is quite different. Harvard's charter reflects the purposes for which it was founded in 1636: "The advancement of all good literature, arts, and sciences; the advancement and education of youth in all manner of good literature, arts, and sciences; and all other necessary provisions that may conduce to the education of the ... youth of this country...."

Complete Article (Under "(1)Features")

Editor's note: We would like to take a moment to thank Volker Briegleb of the first-rate German-language web site Heise Online, for bringing this item to our attention. Heise Online's coverage of the article is here. Recording Industry vs. The People is fortunate to have such friends.
-R.B.



Commentary & discussion:

Heise Online (German)
ZeroPaid
p2pnet.net



Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

RIAA Moves to Dismiss Counterclaims in Georgia case, Priority v. Beer

The RIAA has moved to dismiss counterclaims which have been interposed in a Columbus, Georgia, case, Priority v. Beer.

The plaintiff record companies against whom the counterclaims are asserted are Priority Records, BMG, SONY BMG, and Interscope.

The counterclaims are for

-Trespass (Georgia law)
-Invasion of Privacy (Georgia law)
-Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Georgia law)
-Attorneys Fees (Federal Copyright Act)

Answer and Counterclaims*
RIAA Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims*

The attorney for the defendant is Michael Caldwell of the Atlanta, Georgia, firm, DeLong, Caldwell & Bridgers.

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

WTVM.com




Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Joan Cassin Moves to Dismiss RIAA Complaint in Warner v. Cassin

In a Westchester case, Warner v. Cassin, the defendant has made a motion to dismiss the RIAA's boilerplate complaint.

Defendant's Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Dismiss Complaint*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

RIAA Moves to Punish Ms. Lindor's Nephew for Contempt

In UMG v. Lindor, the RIAA has moved to punish Ms. Lindor's nephew Gustave Lindor for contempt of court, for failing to appear at a scheduled deposition.

July 10, 2007, Letter of Richard Gabriel, Denominated a Contempt Motion*
July 10, 2007, Letter of Ray Beckerman, Commenting on Richard L. Gabriel Letter*
July 11, 2007, Order of Magistrate Robert M. Levy Holding Contempt Motion in Abeyance*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet





Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Monday, July 09, 2007

Michelle Santangelo to Move to Vacate Default Judgment

In an unusual joint letter submitted by plaintiffs and defendants in Elektra v. Santangelo II, the case against two of Patti Santangelo's children, it was indicated that Michelle Santangelo will be making a motion to vacate the default judgment that had been entered against her.

July 9, 2007, Joint Letter of Plaintiffs and Defendant*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet.net

Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

On-Line Guitar Lessons Shut Down on YouTube

Editor's note. I know this is a bit off topic, but thought it is yet another illustration of the recklessness, selfishness, and thoughtlessness of big music:

This reported by NPR:

YouTube Guitar Lessons Pulled in Copyright Spat

By Frank Langfitt

Morning Edition, July 6, 2007. Thousands of guitar students lost a valuable resource last week. The most popular guitar teacher on YouTube saw his more than 100 videos yanked from the site. The reason: a music company accused him of copyright infringement for an instructional video on how to play a Rolling Stones song.

Complete article






Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Evidentiary Hearing On "Reasonableness" of Attorneys Fees Held in Capitol v. Foster

An all-day evidentiary hearing was held in Capitol v. Foster, on Thursday, July 5th, in connection with the RIAA's challenge to the "reasonableness" of Debbie Foster's attorneys fees.

No indication was given as to how the Court would rule.

The Court had previously ruled that Ms. Foster is entitled to her reasonable attorneys fees, and adhered to that ruling in denying the RIAA's "reconsideration" motion.




Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

RIAA Fights On to Suppress Discovery of Agreement Among Record Companies in UMG v. Lindor

More papers have been filed by the RIAA and by Ms. Lindor in UMG v. Lindor, as the RIAA continues to try to prevent discovery into the agreement among the record companies as to joint prosecution and settlement of th p2p litigations. The RIAA has opposed Ms. Lindor's motion to compel answers to her interrogatory and document request from March, 2006. On July 6th the RIAA filed an unusual "surreply" to Ms. Lindor's reply papers, to which Ms. Lindor's lawyer responded on July 9th.

July 6th Letter of Richard L. Gabriel (Re: Copyright Misuse Discovery Motion)*
July 9th Letter of Ray Beckerman (Re: Copyright Misuse Discovery Motion)*
July 1, 2007, Order of Magistrate Robert M. Levy Reserving Decision on Motion to Compel Discovery*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Friday, July 06, 2007

EFF Files Amicus Brief in Support of Dawnell Leadbetter's Attorneys Fee Motion in Seattle

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Dawnell Leadbetter's attorneys fee motion in a Seattle case, Interscope v. Leadbetter, arguing that

Unlike many of the innocent who could not afford to do so, Defendant Leadbetter
chose to fight back, exposing Plaintiffs’ shoddy tactics and lack of evidence for what they
were – nothing more than a sham excuse to pressure her into a settlement for legal
violations she did not commit.
Amicus Curiae Brief
(Alternate link)*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet.net (Original source of this story)
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Kansas City InfoZine



Keywords: digital copyright online law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Attorneys Fee Hearing Set for July 5th in Capitol v. Foster

The "evidentiary hearing" on the reasonableness of the attorneys fees in Capitol v. Foster has been scheduled for Thursday, July 5th.

July 2, 2007, Order, Scheduling Evidentiary Hearing for July 5th*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

Commentary & discussion:

p2pnet

Related stories:
RIAA "Reconsideration" Motion and "Reasonableness Inquiry" Cause Capitol v. Foster Fees to Double From $55k to $114k
Judge Denies RIAA "Reconsideration" Motion in Capitol v. Foster, Calls Plaintiffs' Counsel "Disingenuous", Motives "Questionable"
In Capitol v. Foster, Court Directs RIAA to Turn Over Attorney Billing Records to Ms. Foster's Lawyer, Rules that Documents Are Confidential
Judge Grants Debbie Foster's Attorneys Fees Motion in Capitol v. Foster

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Ms. Lindor Presses for Agreements Among Competitors to be Turned Over to Support "Copyright Misuse" Defense

In further support of her motion to compel discovery, Ms. Lindor has replied to the June 29th opposition filed by the RIAA, pointing out that the "copyright misuse" defense is "alive and well" in the Second Circuit, and has been for at least some 40 years, in UMG v. Lindor:


July 3, 2007, Letter of Ray Beckerman (Discovery into copyright misuse)*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

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