WASHINGTON-Verizon Communications Inc. will turn over the names, addresses and phone numbers of four subscribers to its DSL service who are accused of illegally downloading music via the Internet.
The Recording Industry Association of America, which claims the subscribers were stealing from its members, and Verizon have been locked in a legal battle regarding whether RIAA is entitled to this information. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Wednesday sided with RIAA.
“The [D.C. Circuit’s] decision confirms our long-held position that music pirates must be held accountable for their actions and not be allowed to hide behind the company that provides their Internet service,” said RIAA President Cary Sherman. “Given the epidemic of illegal downloading is threatening the livelihoods of artists, song writers and tens of thousands of other recording industry workers who bring music to the public, we look forward to Verizon’s speedy compliance with this ruling.”
Verizon has said it would violate its subscribers’ rights to privacy by turning over the information. The court is set to hear oral argument on that aspect of the case Sept. 16.
“We remain deeply concerned about the privacy rights of our consumers,” said Maureen Flanigan, Verizon spokeswoman.
The Verizon/RIAA case is seen as a watershed in the issue of digital rights management, and DRM is central to whether copyrighted content will be available on mobile devices.
