Monday, August 07, 2006

Copy of Complaint in Arista v. Lime Wire

The RIAA has sued Limewire in Manhattan federal court.

Copy of complaint in Arista v. Lime Wire*.

The RIAA accuses Lime Wire of encouraging its users to share as many files as possible:

Defendants have taken steps to ensure that LimeWire users “share” a large number of files on LimeWire, thereby maintaining the draw and reputation of LimeWire as a vast, unauthorized repository of commercial sound recordings. For example, Defendants designed the LimeWire installation process to automate the copying of sound recording files to the designated “share” location. Indeed, Defendants further designed LimeWire to punish those users – called “freeloaders” by LimeWire – who do not “share” enough files with other LimeWire users. Freeloaders can be blocked from downloading files from a LimeWire user if that user so chooses. Defendants highlight and promote the “freeloader” blocking feature on the LimeWire website, stating, for example, “If you’re not sharing enough files, users with certain connection preferences won’t let you connect to them for downloading. For this reason, we recommend all LimeWire users share generously with one another”. As the vast majority of the files “shared,” i.e. copied, through LimeWire are copyrighted sound recordings owned by the 12 Plaintiffs, the Defendants’ exhortation for LimeWire users to “share” files is a call for LimeWire users to engage in unlawful reproduction and distribution of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted material.
We will not offer regular coverage of this case, since it is not a case against consumers, but will occasionally post important documents or events, since they may be of interest to our readers.

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

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