RIAA given green light to identify some file-sharers

[TS | Thomas]

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has successfully challenged the court ruling that gave anonymity to individuals it has filed suit against over peer-to-peer file sharing.

ISPs will now have to match IP addresses to people, after US District Judge Denny Chin of Manhattan ruled that Cablevision & other ISPs must hand over details of alleged file swappers to the RIAA so that it can subpoena them.

Judge Chin explained that the First Amendment does not guarantee anonymity. His ruling only applies in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

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[SNGX1275]

Hmm, that ruling although it doesn't apply to other states - provides stepping stone for other states to pass legislation like that. Not a good thing for file swappers.

 

[TS | Thomas]

Well, supposedly this means the Supreme Court can be involved next. 2 lower courts (this & back in december) have given effectively conflicting rulings.

 

[Masque]

This very thing is going to go on for a very long time because of those conflicts. I'd be surprised if the Supreme Court even heard the case.