Judge Orders Piracy Trial To Test IP Address Evidence 321
another random user sends word of a case in Pennsylvania District Court in which Judge Michael Baylson has ordered a trial to resolve the issue of whether an IP address can identify a particular person. The plaintiff, Malibu Media, has filed 349 lawsuits against groups of alleged infringers, arguing that getting subscriber information from an ISP based on an IP address that participated in file-sharing was suitable for identification purposes. A motion filed by the defendants in this case explains "how computer-based technology would allow non-subscribers to access a particular IP address," leading Judge Baylson to rule that a trial is "necessary to find the truth."
"The Bellwether trial will be the first time that actual evidence against alleged BitTorrent infringers is tested in court. This is relevant because the main piece of evidence the copyright holders have is an IP-address, which by itself doesn't identify a person but merely a connection. ... Considering what's at stake, it would be no surprise if parties such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) are willing to join in. They are known to get involved in crucial copyright troll cases, siding with the defendants. We asked the group for a comment, but have yet to receive a response. On the other side, Malibu Media may get help from other copyright holders who are engaged in mass-BitTorrent lawsuits. A ruling against the copyright holder may severely obstruct the thus far lucrative settlement business model, meaning that millions of dollars are at stake for these companies. Without a doubt, the trial is expected to set an important precedent for the future of mass-BitTorrent lawsuits in the U.S. One to watch for sure."
Re:IPs parallel the discoverable world (Score:5, Funny)
People can share IP addresses, but only twins share DNA?
Eww, incest is gross.
Re:Big problem? No. (Score:2, Funny)
Every now and then, beating an anonymous coward to a pulp is carthetic.
No, the Kia Soul is carthetic.
Re:IPs parallel the discoverable world (Score:5, Funny)
But at least DNA doesnt change every 2 weeks.
Re:IPs parallel the discoverable world (Score:5, Funny)
I see you still can't hijack their bodies, and need to use technical measures.
Please return your evil overlord card.
Re:Big problem? No. (Score:4, Funny)
"download 300 gigabytes of copyrighted porn" button
They've simplified that to a single button? Thank goodness for progress.
Only now, at the end, do you see the true power of the Facebook 'Want' Button [slashdot.org] plans.
Re:IPs parallel the discoverable world (Score:4, Funny)