Music Giants Sony, Universal Take On Internet Archive's Great 78 Project in New Lawsuit

Major record labels have initiated legal action against the Internet Archive, alleging that its digitization and distribution of pre-1972 sound recordings constitute blatant copyright infringement. The lawsuit centers on the Great 78 Project, where the nonprofit has digitized hundreds of thousands of rare 78rpm discs. The music industry argues this activity transforms a preservation effort into an illegal record store, claiming the Archive has willfully distributed content by iconic artists without authorization. This conflict highlights a fundamental tension between cultural preservation and intellectual property rights. While the labels assert that these works are commercially available and at no risk of being lost, the Internet Archive maintains that its mission is to provide universal access to knowledge and preserve cultural heritage. The organization views its work as essential research support for rare materials, even when tracks exist elsewhere, emphasizing the unique historical value of the original physical media. The implications for open data and digital preservation are profound. If legal restrictions prevent the digitization and open access of historical recordings, it restricts the availability of public domain or culturally significant data for research and education. This case serves as a critical warning for open-data advocates, illustrating how copyright enforcement can threaten the archival integrity and free accessibility of historical records that researchers and the public rely upon.

Source: techtimes.com
Published on 2023-08-13

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