Court Enjoins Internet Company From Facilitating Downloads Of Copyright-Protected Works.

Defendants maintained websites which film studios plaintiffs contend facilitated internet users to download copyright-protected works. A federal district court issued an injunction based upon “contributory copyright infringement.” The trial court also held defendants were not entitled to any of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act [DMCA; 17 USC § 512].  The Ninth Circuit affirmed, awarding costs to the plaintiffs.  Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. v. Gary Fung (Ninth Cir.; March 21, 2013) (Case No. 10-55946).