Finally, a ruling from a federal court that makes sense. “Judge Stephen Wilson ruled that Streamcast–parent of the Morpheus software–and Grokster were not liable for copyright infringements that took place using their software.” Wilson states that peer-to-peer networks are much the same as videocassette recorders and copy machines: while it is possible to copy copyrighted material with any of these devices, the products can also copy non-copyrighted material (or copyrighted material that one has permission to copy). Thus, the technology is perfectly legal, and the manufacturers are not liable for how consumers actually use the products.
Sanity! In a federal court! Who woulda thunk it?