Case adds more uncertainty to Web copyright laws; Utah court finds contributory infringement for encouraging use of links to infringing sites

Article Abstract:

Intellectual Reserve, Inc. v. Utah Lighthouse Ministry, Inc., a federal district court ruling that found contributory infringement for including in a Web site links to infringing sites, is discussed. The number of Web site owners who favor an expansion of copyright laws to include protection for the way users navigate through Web sites is increasing.

Web sites (World Wide Web), Web sites, Negligence, Contributory, Contributory negligence

---

Internet service providers face contributory infringement suits from software copyright owners based on the infringing activities of service subscribers

Article Abstract:

The Software Publishers Assn (SPA) has filed five software copyright infringement claims on behalf of copyright owners Claris Corp, Adobe Systems Inc and Traveling Software Inc. The SPA claims in these actions that the theory of contributory copyright infringement makes an Internet service provider (ISP) liable for infringing materials placed by a subscriber in Web space or even for hyperlinks to infringing materials at a remote location. Imposing such liability raises many troubling issues. Courts and legislatures may need to devise new copyright standards for such environments as the Internet.

Online services, Internet services, Software piracy

---

Downloading from the Net is dangerous; well-intentioned companies that download or hyperlink to copyrighted material online may find themselves liable for infringing

Article Abstract:

Many federal court rulings in the 1990s deal with whether a company's downloading or hyperlinking to copyrighted material may constitute infringement. A company downloading material to its Intranet should obtain the consent of the copyright owner, and agreement to various conditions on the duration and use of the material may excuse any payment of royalties. Hyperlinks should not result in liability if the linked sites' home pages are the destinations. The fair use doctrine should excuse the company from any liability for direct infringement.

Downloading

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Playing by the same rules; measure confirms that federal prosecutors are not immune to state professional conduct regulations
• Abstracts: The fight ain't over; the Equal Rights Amendment died in 1982, but supporters are trying to breathe new life into the cause in Congress and state legislatures
• Abstracts: Roundup of tax developments from the year that was. Tax happenings from the courts and IRS. Synopsis of significant recent tax developments
• Abstracts: Voir dire tip: pick former juror; NLJ-DecisionQuest '99 survey offers this and other lessons. A 'day in the life;' Bill Buckley's films document tragedy - for big damage awards
• Abstracts: The antitrust trial that's no Microsoft II; Justice opens conspiracy case against Visa, MasterCard. Regulators eye AOL-TW deal; but which ones? Pact with Justice would give nod to FTC

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.