Grokster P2P file-sharing ruling [US SC] News
Grokster P2P file-sharing ruling [US SC]

MGM Studios v. Grokster, United States Supreme Court, June 27, 2005 [ruling unanimously that developers of software violate federal copyright law when they provide computer users with the ability to share music and movie files downloaded from the internet]. Excerpt from the opinion, by Justice Souter:

We hold that one who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties.

Read the full text of the opinion here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Patent of Toleration grants religious freedom to Protestants in Holy Roman Empire

On October 21, 1781, Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II issued the Patent of Toleration, which granted religious freedom to Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire.

First West law reports published

On October 21, 1876, the West Publishing Company, founded by John B. West, published its first law reporter, The Syllabi, which promised to provide Minnesota lawyers with legal intelligence that was "prompt, interesting, full, and at all times thoroughly reliable." The Syllabi eventually became the Northwestern Reporter, which later evolved into West's National Reporter System.

European Patent Institute established

On October 21, 1977, the European Patent Institute (EPI) was established by the European Patent Organisation pursuant to the European Patent Convention. The EPI serves as a non-governmental professional organization for patent lawyers in Europe.