DRM lobbyists cry foul over BPI p2p win

Posted on 27 Jan 2006 at 14:58

UK digital rights campaigners have reacted with disappointment to the news that two file sharers failed in their attempts to defeat music industry lawsuits.

Earlier today Judge Justice Lawrence Collins rejected the two men's defences and awarded damages and costs to the BPI without a trial.

'It's very disappointing that Judge Lawrence Collins saw fit to throw both cases out of court, handing summary judgments to the BPI without giving either defendant the opportunity of a trial,' said Suw Charman, executive director, Open Rights Group. 'We have yet to see a full and proper debate on filesharing in the UK courts and to see Judge Collins siding so emphatically with the BPI is disheartening.'

She added that suing file sharers has no perceptible impact on either file sharing or sales and urged the industry to think again.

'The Open Rights Group would urge the music industry to stop suing and to start thinking more creatively about how they can use new technology to provide fans with the music they want.'

Cory Doctorow, author and member of the Open Rights Group Advisory Council, was less circumspect.

'Congratulations, you've successfully sued a customer,' he said. 'I'm sure that will generate lots of new sales for you. How many customers to do you imagine you'll need to sue before England returns to the mall, credit card in hand?'

Author: Simon Aughton

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