Grokster loses - big time

Michael Gartenberg | June 27, 2005, 11:56 AM

This one wasn't even close. The Supreme Court rules unanimously against the Grokster folks. The decision was announced by Justice David H. Souter. "We hold that one who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties" -- that is, computer users deploying free downloading software.

This was a major victory for the content companies and I'd look for an increase of lawsuits here. Now's the time for these folks to get together with the hardware vendors and start showing that there are legal alternatives for those who seek them.