Far from being straightforward case, RIAA’s attempt to force Veri...
Far from being straightforward case, RIAA’s attempt to force Verizon to disclose personal information about subscriber alleged to have been swapping music files online could “uncork a tidal wave” of subpoenas against ISPs, Verizon said late last week. Because…
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Verizon didn’t store any of challenged material on its network or systems, and was merely “passive conduit” for its user’s allegedly infringing material, subpoena issued July 24 under Sec. 512(h) of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) doesn’t apply, carrier said in filing in U.S. Dist. Court, D.C., in RIAA v. Verizon. Instead, company said, RIAA is trying to broaden DMCA’s subpoena provision to reach all Internet users, “dazzlingly broad subpoena power” that would allow anyone, without filing complaint, to “invoke the coercive power of a federal court” to compel ISP to produce information about identity of any Internet user. Verizon said any copyright owner ("i.e, virtually anyone") could “contrive asserted copyright infringements” in order to gather personal information about private citizens online. RIAA’s reply to Verizon’s pleading is expected to be filed late Wed., spokesman said. Last Fri., 12 Internet-related consumer and privacy groups filed amicus brief on Verizon’s behalf.