Legal Opinion
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.
Supreme Court of the United States
Decided June 27, 2005No. 04-480PublishedCited by 529 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Souter
The question is under what circumstances the distributor of a product capable of both lawful and unlawful use is liable *919for acts of copyright infringement by third parties using the product. We hold that one who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties.
I
A
Respondents, Grokster, Ltd., and StreamCast Networks, Inc., defendants in the trial court, distribute free software products that allow computer users…
2Cases cited31 opinions
- Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1984
- A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2001
- Aro Manufacturing Co. v. Convertible Top Replacement Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1964
- Motion Picture Patents Co. v. Universal Film Manufacturing Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1917
- Gershwin Publishing Corporation v. Columbia Artists Management, Inc., and Community Concerts, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1971
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3Cited by529 opinions
- Arista Records, LLC v. Doe 3Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 2010
- Global-Tech Appliances, Inc. v. SEB S. A.Supreme Court of the United States · 2011
- Arista Records LLC v. John Does 1-19District Court, District of Columbia · 2008
- Lucent Technologies, Inc. v. Gateway, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit · 2009
- Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon. Com, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2007
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