Friday, March 23, 2007
Music publishers accuse XM of copyright infringement | CNET News.com
Music publishers accuse XM of copyright infringement | CNET News.com: "An association of music publishers late on Thursday filed a lawsuit that accuses XM Satellite Radio of refusing to stop 'widespread infringement' of popular copyrighted songs.
In a complaint filed in New York federal court, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) argues that the satellite radio operator's 'XM + MP3' music service skirts copyright laws by allowing radio listeners to make permanent copies of on-air tracks through devices like the Pioneer Inno player without permission and without properly compensating songwriters.
The service 'constitutes pervasive and willful copyright infringement to the overwhelming detriment of copyright holders, legitimate online music services and, ultimately, consumers,' lead attorney Debra Wong Yang said in a statement.
The legal action by the music publishers arrives about two months after a federal judge ruled a similar legal challenge lodged by record labels could proceed. In that dispute, XM argued that its listeners are legally allowed to record music off the radio for personal use under the Home Recording Act of 1992.
Federal courts have upheld users' rights to record music from over-the-air radio for some purposes. The music industry argues that the 'iPod-like' devices marketed by XM are closer to being music download services akin to Apple's iT"
In a complaint filed in New York federal court, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) argues that the satellite radio operator's 'XM + MP3' music service skirts copyright laws by allowing radio listeners to make permanent copies of on-air tracks through devices like the Pioneer Inno player without permission and without properly compensating songwriters.
The service 'constitutes pervasive and willful copyright infringement to the overwhelming detriment of copyright holders, legitimate online music services and, ultimately, consumers,' lead attorney Debra Wong Yang said in a statement.
The legal action by the music publishers arrives about two months after a federal judge ruled a similar legal challenge lodged by record labels could proceed. In that dispute, XM argued that its listeners are legally allowed to record music off the radio for personal use under the Home Recording Act of 1992.
Federal courts have upheld users' rights to record music from over-the-air radio for some purposes. The music industry argues that the 'iPod-like' devices marketed by XM are closer to being music download services akin to Apple's iT"
Labels: Music, Technology
