Makes of Kazaa suing record companies
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Turning the tables on record labels, makers of the most popular Internet song-swapping network are suing entertainment companies for copyright infringement.
Sharman Networks Ltd., the company behind the Kazaa file-sharing software, filed a federal lawsuit Monday accusing the entertainment companies of using unauthorized versions of its software in their efforts to root out users. Entertainment companies have offered bogus versions of copyright works and sent online messages to users.
Sharman said the companies used Kazaa Lite, an ad-less replica of its software, to get onto the network. The lawsuit also claims efforts to combat piracy on Kazaa violated terms for using the network.
Trying again
Sharman's lawsuit also revives its previous allegation that the entertainment companies violated antitrust laws by stopping Sharman and its partner from distributing authorized copies of music and movies through Kazaa.
U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson rejected those claims in July but last week allowed Sharman to try again. Sharman is incorporated in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu with main offices in Sydney, Australia.
An interesting turn of events. There also is the "Fair Use" of copyright that is being ignored here. They use the Fast Track Network, and Kazaa isn't the only file sharer to use that network. Using Kazaa installs Spyware/Adware, and Kazaa Lite is a modified version of Kazaa without the Spyware/Adware. Even still, using Kazaa in any form is subject to the EULA, which they claim the RIAA has broken.