Verizon, Given 14 Days to ID Song-Swappers, Files Another Legal Appeal

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 25, 2003 - 10:01am.

Washington -- A federal judge on Friday gave Internet access provider Verizon two weeks to turn over to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the identity of two of its subscribers who allegedly were trading songs on file-sharing systems using the company's network. U.S. District Judge John Bates denied two Verizon motions to rule the RIAA's subpoenas invalid; a new Verizon motion filed on Friday will seek an immediate U.S. Appeals Court stay of Judge Bates' ruling. "Today's ruling goes far beyond the interests of large copyright monopolists -- such as RIAA -- in enforcing its copyrights," said Verizon senior vice president and deputy general counsel John Thorne. "This decision exposes anyone who uses the Internet to potential predators, scam artists and crooks, including identity thieves and stalkers." The RIAA applauded Friday's ruling. "Today's decision makes clear that these individuals cannot rely on their (Internet service providers) to shield them from accountability," said RIAA president Cary Sherman. "If users of pirate peer-to-peer sites don't want to be identified, they should not break the law by illegally distributing music."
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