Should RIAA Investigators Have To Disclose Evidence?

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "A technology battle is raging in UMG v. Lindor, a court case in Brooklyn. The issue at hand is whether the RIAA's investigator SafeNet (the company that acquired MediaSentry) now needs to disclose its digital files, validation methodology, testing procedures, failure rates, software manuals, protocols, packet logs, source code, and other materials, so that the validity of its methods can be evaluated by the defense. SafeNet and the RIAA say no, claiming that the information is 'proprietary and confidential'. Ms. Lindor says yes, if you're going to testify in federal court the other side has a right to test your evidence. A list of what is being sought (pdf) is available online. MediaSentry has produced 'none of the above'. 'Put up or shut up' says one commentator to SafeNet."

Comments

Re:Similar to Drunk Driving defense...

[glavenoid]

Breathalyzer source code in criminal trials has come up on /. a few times. If you ask me, this sets a precedent that the "propriety technology" excuse can't be used to limit a defendant's right to examine all evidence against him/her. However, those were criminal cases, perhaps civil law doesn't follow the same legal precedents?