The trial pitting Australia’s recording industry against the makers of Kazaa may be coming to a highly anticipated end. With closing arguments complete, Judge Murray Wilcox of Australia’s Federal Court is expected to rule whether or not the makers of the P2P client are liable for copyright breaches and lost income resulting from files being shared across the Kazaa expanse.
According to E-Commerce Times, Judge Wilcox is “troubled” over whether or not Kazaa offers a legitimate reason for its existence. In a statement to court, Judge Wilcox indicated the makers of Kazaa introduced the product knowing its potential for misuse. Their report goes on to say:
The record companies claim Kazaa’s owners are liable for millions of dollars in lost revenue caused by the illegal downloading of up to 3 billion songs and music files each month by the network’s 100 million users worldwide.
The industry wants Judge Murray Wilcox of Australia’s Federal Court to find Kazaa’s owners liable for copyright breaches and loss of income.
Wilcox is expected to rule within six weeks. If the music companies are successful, a trial for damages is likely to be held later this year.
Kazaa’s owners say they are merely allowing computer users to share information, and that they shouldn’t be held responsible for any illegal activity by people using the software.
So here’s what it comes down to: are the makers of Kazaa liable for introducing a product that can be used for what some would call illegal means? Or are they “innocent bystanders,” much like the makers of dual cassette recorders (Sony, JVC the list goes on) were considered to be in the 80s?
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for Murdok. Visit Murdok for the latest search news.
