The software company Bridgemar Services behind iMesh which use has been a very popular P2P music sharing tool over the past few years has agreed to pay $ 4.1m ( UK £2.2m) in compensation to the US music industry for copyright infringement. The settlement was approved by a New York Court. The music industry sees this as a victory and the RIAA chief executive praised the settlement since up until now, US courts ruled that the software developers are not liable should the consumers use their software for copyright infringement use.
Bridgemar Services agreed as part of the settlement to add restrictive measures to its software that would prevent consumers from illegally sharing or downloading copyright works. Its software distributed up until now will still continue to function as before. Bridgemar Services was sued by the record companies claiming that their software was used to illegally swap millions of songs; seeking $ 150,000 in damages per song plus legal fees.
A Bridgemar Spokeswoman said that it is too early yet to say if they plan on offering a pay-per-download legal service at later stage as this depends on what agreements could be met with the major labels. Quakester2000 submitted the following news via our news submit :
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The software from Israeli company Bridgemar Services, formerly known as iMesh.com, allows people to download music using the internet. Until now, US courts had ruled that software companies were not liable when their products are used by others for copyright infringement. The settlement is seen as a victory for the music industry. Bridgemar Services also agreed, under the settlement, which was approved by a New York cour, to change its internet service later this year to prevent consumers from illegally distributing music or downloading songs. Until then the software - which has been downloaded more than 76 million times - will continue to function. In its lawsuit, record companies alleged that iMesh software helped internet users illegally exchange "millions" of songs and sought $ 150,000 (£81,340) in damages for each song, plus attorney fees. Bridgemar spokeswoman Connie Connors said it was too early to know whether iMesh customers will ultimately have to pay for downloaded music. She said it depended on what agreements could be reached with major record labels. Recording Industry Association of America chief executive Mitch Bainwol praised the settlement and Bridgemar's "constructive approach". |
Since Kazaa left the charts on Download.com, it looks like iMesh will be next to leave, leaving another popular file sharing tool Limewire in its place. As the US record labels are very happy with this settlement, it will likely encourage them to go after the popular file sharing software markers once again.
Feel free to discuss and find out more about file sharing tools and its legal issues on our Music Downloads, P2P & Legal Issues Forum.
Source: BBC News - Music Entertainment
