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Princeton's Peng settles with RIAA
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 07:01:46 -0400
------ Forwarded Message From: "the terminal of Geoff Goodfellow" <geoff () iconia com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 07:52:51 +0200 To: "Dave E-mail Pamphleteer Farber" <farber () cis upenn edu> Subject: Princeton's Peng settles with RIAA Drinker Biddle Announces Settlement in Record Industry Lawsuit Against 18-Year-Old Princeton University Student PRINCETON, N.J., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Drinker Biddle attorneys Howard Ende and Melissa Klipp today announced that a settlement has been reached in the lawsuit brought by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) against 18-year-old Princeton University student Daniel Peng. The favorable terms of the settlement, which reflect the strength of Mr. Peng's position under the copyright laws, include the following: -- No admittance of guilt from Mr. Peng. -- Mr. Peng will make a monetary payment to the recording industry over a period of several years. -- Mr. Peng promises not to knowingly infringe by use of the Internet the record companies' copyrighted works, except under certain specified circumstances. -- Mr. Peng will shut down his Wake.com site, except for a statement that the site is closed, and provide a link to an industry Web site. Mr. Peng created a search engine-type Web site that facilitated students' and faculties' ability to access and share information offered by members of the Princeton University community. The Recording Industry sued Mr. Peng and three other undergraduates at other institutions for violating their copyrights and requested damages that could have totaled close to $100 million dollars. According to Drinker Biddle attorney Howard Ende, "It's very unfortunate that the recording industry, in trying to protect their profits, has used the legal system to intimidate students who are often their best customers. Rather, the industry should be working with colleges and universities to resolve its economic problems created by the development of new technologies." Daniel Peng commented, "I don't believe that I did anything wrong. I am glad that the case has been settled amicably, and I hope that for the sake of artists, the larger issues can soon be resolved." Melissa Klipp, who is a Drinker Biddle partner specializing in Intellectual Property Litigation, added, "While we understand the recording industry's dilemma, we do not believe that heavy-handed litigation against 18- year-old college students is the proper way to resolve the RIAA's problems. The recording industry must realize that, at best, we are a symptom and not the cause. The technology at issue is available universally through operating systems purchased throughout the country and the world. As reflected in the MGM v. Grokster opinion issued from the Central District of California last week, American courts are viewing these situations more realistically. Through handing the recording industry such significant losses, the courts are sending the recording industry the clear message that they will not over-extend the Copyright laws to help the recording industry compensate for losses occasioned by other causes." About Drinker Biddle Drinker Biddle lawyers focus on providing creative and cost-effective solutions to complex legal problems. The firm practices nationally and internationally in three major business areas: business and finance, litigation and personal fiduciary law. Clients include Fortune 100 companies, emerging and prominent technological enterprises, healthcare companies, environmental businesses, private equity investors, financial institutions, real estate concerns, major academic institutions, and fiduciaries. Headquartered since 1849 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drinker Biddle's more than 450 lawyers serve clients collaboratively from nine offices, including New York, NY; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Florham Park, NJ; Princeton, NJ; Berwyn, PA and Wilmington, DE. SOURCE Drinker Biddle /CONTACT: David J. Novak, Drinker Biddle, +1-609-716-6680, Cell: +1-609-405-0046 or david.novak () dbr com; or Linda Jasper, Keating Public Relations, +1-973-376-9300 or ljasper () keatingpr com, for Drinker Biddle/ http://www.newsalert.com/bin/story?StoryId=CpRcBWbWbueHusda2m =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- geoff.goodfellow () iconia com * Prague - CZ * telephone +420 603 706 558 "success is getting what you want & happiness is wanting what you get" http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/01/biztech/articles/17drop.html http://www.tapsns.com/members-bio/geoff-goodfellow.shtml ------ End of Forwarded Message ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- Princeton's Peng settles with RIAA Dave Farber (May 02)