Internet Association and i2Coalition Join In Amicus Brief in Landmark Case On Contributory Infringement

The Internet Association and Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in the matter of the appeal of copyright suit Perfect 10 vs. USENET service Giganews.

Abigail Slater, Vice President for Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Internet Association, said “The Internet sector employs nearly 3 million Americans and represents 6 percent of our economy. Should this ruling be reversed, Internet platforms, large and small, would face substantial legal uncertainty and risk to their future operations.  The novel positions advanced by the plaintiffs and their amici contradict the letter and intent of the law to only hold culpable parties liable. Should they prevail in their arguments, the ruling would have drastic consequences for Internet platforms and their community of users.”

i2Coalition Chairman and Public Policy Chair David Snead stated “The brief addresses the district court’s rulings on direct infringement, intentional inducement, contributory infringement by material contribution, and vicarious infringement, and specifically addresses the flawed arguments that the RIAA is using in their own Amicus brief in this case.  If the court decides in favor of Perfect10 using the grounds advanced by the RIAA, it will impose responsibility for copyright infringement on our businesses. Our brief shows how disruptive and damaging to the Internet economy their viewpoint is.”

 

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