Grokster and being careful what you wish for ...
[I have found something unique to post about the Grokster decision, instead of being doomed to leftover punditry!]
There's a fascinating passage in the court opinion's discussion of intent (page 7):
"StreamCast even planned to flaunt the illegal uses of its software; when it launched the OpenNap network, the chief technology officer of the company averred that "[t]he goal is to get in trouble with the law and get sued. It's the best way to get in the new[s]."
Wow. He sure got his wish! In the sense of "Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it".
It would be very interesting to see the full text of that email (it doesn't seem to be available on the free web, and I don't have access to pay legal databases). It might have been gallows humor. Then again, some naive people have seriously told me I should deliberately get myself sued, for similar reasons (I do NOT put much faith in their advice!).
By Seth Finkelstein | posted in copyblight | on June 27, 2005 10:18 PM (Infothought permalink)
