Judge Rules Kazaa Can't Pursue Lawsuit

Dyre Straits · Jul 7, 2003, 08:36 PM

Monday, July 07, 2003 10:37 a.m. ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The distributor of the Kazaa software for sharing songs, movies and other files online cannot pursue an antitrust lawsuit against major recording labels and movie studios, a federal judge ruled.

Sharman Networks made the antitrust claims in January as part of its defense of a copyright infringement suit filed by the entertainment firms.

Sharman argued that music labels and studios conspired to keep authorized and copy-protected versions of their songs and movies off Kazaa. It essentially blamed piracy on the entertainment companies, saying they failed to work with Sharman to create a legal alternative.

U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson dismissed Sharman's claims, which many copyright lawyers had considered a stretch.

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Jul 7, 2003, 08:36 PM	#1
Dyre Straits HH Old Fuddy Duddy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 14,032 Rep Power: 201 System Specs	Judge Rules Kazaa Can't Pursue Lawsuit Monday, July 07, 2003 10:37 a.m. ET LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The distributor of the Kazaa software for sharing songs, movies and other files online cannot pursue an antitrust lawsuit against major recording labels and movie studios, a federal judge ruled. Sharman Networks made the antitrust claims in January as part of its defense of a copyright infringement suit filed by the entertainment firms. Sharman argued that music labels and studios conspired to keep authorized and copy-protected versions of their songs and movies off Kazaa. It essentially blamed piracy on the entertainment companies, saying they failed to work with Sharman to create a legal alternative. U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson dismissed Sharman's claims, which many copyright lawyers had considered a stretch. More Here