Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.

Good Law

259 F. Supp. 2d 1029·2003 WL 1989129·66 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1579·2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6994

United States District Court, Central District of CaliforniaApril 25, 2003CV 01-08541 SVW PJWX, CV 01-09923 SVW PJWXCalifornia8,436 words

Opinion

Wilson, J.

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS GROKSTER, LTD.’S AND STREAMCAST NETWORKS, INC.’S MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT WITH RESPECT TO DEFENDANTS GROK-STER, LTD. AND STREAMCAST NETWORKS, INC.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiffs bring these actions for copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. §§ 501 , et seq. The Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 . Plaintiffs and Defendants StreamCast Networks, Inc. and Grokster, Ltd. (“Defendants”) filed cross-motions for summary judgment with regard to contributory and vicarious infringement. Plaintiffs contend that Defendants’ conduct renders them liable for copyright infringement committed by users of Defendants’ software. Defendants argue, however, that they merely provide software to users over whom they have no control, and thus that no liability may accrue to them under copyright law.

Both parties believe that there are no disputed issues of fact material to Defendants’ liability, and thus that there are no factual disputes requiring a trial. Instead, both sides maintain that the only question before the Court (as to liability) is a legal one: whether Defendants’ materially undisputed conduct…

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