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MGM v. Grokster: Here's Why P2P is Valuable

Posted by jamie on from the spelling-it-out dept.

Briefs defending Grokster's right to exist were filed yesterday in MGM v. Grokster, from Intel, Creative Commons [PDF], and many others. Among them, 17 computer science professors laid out the case for P2P, beginning with principles: "First, the United States' description of the Internet's design is wrong. P2P networks are not new developments in network design, but rather the design on which the Internet itself is based." Pointedly, the EFF compares this case's arguments to those made over 20 years ago in the Betamax case, which established the public's right to use video-copying technology, because of its "substantial non-infringing uses," even though many used videotape to infringe copyright. We'll soon see whether that right will extend to peer-to-peer software: the Supreme Court takes this up on March 29th.

12 of 732 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Excuse me while I bang my head on the wall by DAldredge · · Score: 4, Funny

    But, judging from your low /. UID, you are a useless hippy who hates America and Jesus.

  2. Troll? by nick8325 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Troll? He has a lower UID than the grandparent!

    1. Re:Troll? by DAldredge · · Score: 2, Funny

      Thus proving that the mods are complete and total idiots. :)

    2. Re:Troll? by Daniel · · Score: 2, Funny

      I guess there isn't a moderation for "self-referentially ironic".

      Daniel

      --
      Hurry up and jump on the individualist bandwagon!
  3. Re:NRA by CortoMaltese · · Score: 2, Funny
    P2P doesn't infringe copyright, people do.

    Oh wait, is it the IP packets after all?

  4. ...and convenient... by abb3w · · Score: 2, Funny
    Those of us who use BitTorrent to get Linux distros and legal content don't really appreciate the fact that 30% of the entire Internet's traffic is from the transfer of pirated BitTorrent files, especially if that potentially leads to anti-P2P legislation.

    I'm sure we'll find a technical solution to the problems presented by this Tragedy of the Commons just like we were able to find a technical solution for the similar one with Spam.

    Oh, wait...

    --
    //Information does not want to be free; it wants to breed.
  5. Re:In order to win this by Ironsides · · Score: 3, Funny

    No no... I mean, what's being distributed in higher volume than copyrighted material?

    Porn

    --
    Fly me to the moon Let me sing among those stars Let me see what spring is like On jupiter and mars
  6. Re:I'm not confident by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Super. Now, how many for the war are against abortion?

  7. Re:No, it has to do with lack of expertise by geoffspear · · Score: 3, Funny
    On the other hand, David Boies seems to be pretty good at failing miserably in big cases (US v. Microsoft, Bush v. Gore, and now SCO v. everyone), so I'm not sure he's the best person to be taking legal advice from.

    If you want advice on how to get paid lots of money without showing results, though, he's your guy.

    --
    Don't blame me; I'm never given mod points.
  8. Re:Oral Arguments by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Heres an idea. Why don't the court officials just record this (public) proceeding, then make it available via bittorrent after. Oh wait...

  9. Re:Analogy time, boys and girls. by ThomaMelas · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wait a moment! Butterfly knives serve a very useful purpose. They make it easier to spot the people with no clue how to use a knife in a fight or as a tool.

  10. Re:Analogy time, boys and girls. by marick · · Score: 1, Funny

    Guns are very effective at maiming, not just murdering!

    Oh yeah, they're also good for suicide!