Petteri Pyyny
13 Jan 2004 13:19
U.S. Supreme Court decided yesterday without explanation that it wont take the Madster's case to its reconsideration. This decision closes the first P2P case that had reached the gates of U.S. Supreme Court.
The lawsuit by RIAA against Aimster, that later changed its name, was brought against the P2P service in May, 2001 claiming that the company intentionally violated RIAA's members' copyrights by allowing its users to share illegal music via its network. Later on, in separate lawsuit, AOL sued the company over trademark violations that eventually forced Aimster to change its name in January, 2002.
Eventually, in September, 2002, lower court decided to grant an injunction against Madster, pretty much closing the company with that decision. Madster's owner, Johnny Deep, appealed the case and in July, 2003, appeals court decided to keep the federal court's decision as it is -- Madster had to kept closed. Mr. Deep appealed the case to Supreme Court and now Supreme Court has made its decision. One of the P2P pioneers has vanished.
More information:
News.com
U.S. Supreme Court (PDF)