Record Labels File $412 Million Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Internet Archive

Major record labels have sued the Internet Archive, alleging that its "Great 78 Project" illegally distributes thousands of pre-1972 sound recordings. The plaintiffs argue that the nonprofit’s act of making these historic tracks freely available to the public exceeds the boundaries of preservation and research, effectively operating as an unauthorized digital record store. This legal action highlights the ongoing tension between institutional copyright holders and digital archives that prioritize universal access to cultural heritage. The lawsuit emphasizes that these recordings are currently available through legitimate commercial streaming services, suggesting the Internet Archive’s distribution is unnecessary and infringing. By seeking massive statutory damages, the industry aims to deter mass copying and reinforce the enforceability of copyright laws over older media. This case extends previous legal victories for publishers against the archive regarding books, signaling a coordinated effort to restrict unauthorized digital lending of protected intellectual property across all media formats. This conflict is highly relevant to open data and open knowledge advocates because it challenges the fundamental principle of free access to historical records. If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent that severely limits the ability of non-profit institutions to digitize and share public domain or orphaned works, potentially locking valuable cultural data behind paywalls. It underscores the legal vulnerabilities facing open initiatives that attempt to bridge the gap between archival preservation and public accessibility in an era of strict digital copyright enforcement.

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

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