Ray Beckerman used our news submit to tell us: "I have seen reports that Kazaa has entered into a settlement with the RIAA, under which it will seek to sell "licensed" RIAA music throught p2p technology. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. I am assuming that the settlement does not in any way affect the thousands of lawsuits against Kazaa customers. If that is so, it"s wrong. Many of the fine people who are being terrorized by the RIAA are in this mess because of Kazaa, and a settlement which gets Kazaa off the hook with the RIAA but doesn't do anything for the good folks who took Kazaa at its word, is not something I find comforting in the least.
I would have thought that Kazaa would have done something to end the reign of terror against its customers. If the settlement doesn't provide for the cessation of RIAA litigation against Kazaa customers, and if Kazaa will be working with the RIAA to sell licensed distribution, I would call upon all members of the public to boycott the "new Kazaa" to the same extent that they are boycotting the RIAA. And I would call upon all defendants in RIAA cases, who are being sued because of Kazaa, to consider -- if they have the means to do so -- cross suing Kazaa."
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The Supreme Court ruled last year the entertainment industry can file piracy lawsuits against technology companies caught encouraging customers to steal music and movies over the Internet. Earlier this month, in a related federal lawsuit, a U.S. judge said evidence was "overwhelming" against StreamCast Inc., which produced similar software for downloading music and movies called "Morpheus." |
Surely it seems that the industry will be compensated for any perceived losses with this settlement, as we have already read now, that the settlement is a staggering $100 million dollars! Is it right that the record industry can go ahead now, and sue the end user as well? It seems as though there is no reason why they cannot! As mentioned in the comment from Ray Beckerman, would an end user be able to come back against Kazaa? What is your opinion?
Source: CNN
