NitnayLion
Adept
Source: MSNBC
WASHINGTON - When Internet file-sharing services and the entertainment industry square off in the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday, the outcome will likely rest on a nearly obsolete technology -- the videocassette recorder.
Backers of "peer-to-peer" networks like Grokster will argue that the software makers deserve the same protections as VCR manufacturers, because both can be used for good or ill.
Record labels and movie studios will argue that Grokster should be held responsible when its millions of users illegally copy movies and music directly from each others' computers.
Both sides will agree one one thing  the court could harm their ability to produce innovative new products if it doesn't rule in their favor.
"If nothing is changed and these services continue to operate, it will have an impact on the creative process. For the movie industry, it will mean less risk will be taken in terms of the creation of new material," said Dan Glickman, president of the Motion Picture Association of America.
"The way new technology is created and funded is it's a high-risk affair. It's not going to get funded if there's a sword of litigation hanging over it," said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association, which supports Grokster.
Full Story
Code:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7320556/Backers of "peer-to-peer" networks like Grokster will argue that the software makers deserve the same protections as VCR manufacturers, because both can be used for good or ill.
Record labels and movie studios will argue that Grokster should be held responsible when its millions of users illegally copy movies and music directly from each others' computers.
Both sides will agree one one thing  the court could harm their ability to produce innovative new products if it doesn't rule in their favor.
"If nothing is changed and these services continue to operate, it will have an impact on the creative process. For the movie industry, it will mean less risk will be taken in terms of the creation of new material," said Dan Glickman, president of the Motion Picture Association of America.
"The way new technology is created and funded is it's a high-risk affair. It's not going to get funded if there's a sword of litigation hanging over it," said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association, which supports Grokster.
Full Story
Code:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7320556/