More Grokster Miscellany


MGM v. Grokster oral arguments (SCotUS). Joe Gratz converted the transcript into text form.
In the NY Times, Hal Varian examines the evolution of the battle between copyright holders and new technologies: File-Sharing Is the Latest Battleground in the Clash of Technology and Copyright: “This is just the latest installment of a longstanding battle between technology companies and copyright holders. It is useful to look at the history of some of these past innovations in trying to understand what policies may be appropriate today.”
At News.com, John Borland looks at the parallels between Grokster and the Induce Act introduced into the last Congress: Supreme Court mulls file-swap ‘pushers’: “Last week, the nation’s top court heard arguments from the entertainment industry and file-swapping software companies in a landmark review of the legal status of peer-to-peer networks. In the course of that hearing, several of the justices appeared interested in finding a middle ground that would focus on companies that actively encouraged, or ‘induced,’ copyright infringement.”
Public Knowledge: Gigi in the House — Reflections on Grokster Day: “PK President Gigi Sohn was inside the Supreme Court for the historic oral argument on the Grokster file-sharing case. Here are her thoughts on the events of the day, the argument and possible outcomes and consequences of a decision.”
Mike Godwin: Grokster and other matters: Since it seems clear to me that the justices weren’t completely satisfied by the answers to these questions, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Court decided to hold the case over for reargument on “inducement.” If that happens, remember you heard it here first.
In the Washington Post, Drew Clark discusses The Battle Between Tinseltown and Techville: “Creativity and innovation aren’t qualities you’d ordinarily expect to be at war with one another. Both involve a type of inventiveness, a vision of something new, a stepping outside of mental boundaries. Yet in America’s courts, the companies that rely most on creativity and innovation are at each other’s throats.”

Andrew Raff @andrewraff