Record Labels Hit Internet Archive With New $400m+ Copyright Lawsuit * TorrentFreak

Major record labels have initiated legal action against the Internet Archive, alleging massive copyright infringement through its “Great 78 Project.” This initiative aims to preserve and digitize rare 78rpm recordings from the early 20th century. The plaintiffs argue that the Archive’s digital distribution of these works without permission constitutes unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and public performance. They reject the Archive’s preservation arguments, viewing them as a smokescreen for widespread piracy that denies artists and rights holders compensation. The core conflict centers on the Internet Archive’s mission to make historical content universally accessible versus the music industry’s demand for strict copyright enforcement. While the Archive emphasizes the research value and risk of loss for these artifacts, the labels contend that most recordings are already available on licensed streaming platforms. Consequently, they assert there is no legitimate preservation need justifying the removal of these works from controlled, monetized channels. This case highlights the tension between digital archiving efforts and intellectual property rights in the modern era. This development is highly relevant to open data and open culture advocates because it threatens the model of non-profit digital preservation. If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent that discourages institutions from hosting historical data or creative works without explicit licensing, even for non-commercial educational purposes. It underscores the fragility of open access initiatives when they intersect with powerful corporate copyright interests, potentially limiting public access to cultural heritage and historical records.

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

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