Court to decide fate of digital MP3 resales

Music provider ReDigi was launched in October 2011 and is an unusual service, with a unique twist, billing itself as the first legal online service where you can “store, stream, buy, and sell pre-owned digital music”.

ReDigi’s requires its users to download software which confirms that tracks have been legally bought then removes the files from the seller’s hard drive and uploads the content once they’ve been sold. The program is also designed to prevent users from copying files they’ve sold back onto their hard drive and will offer to scan for illegal files as well.

Despite these attempted safeguards ReDigi’s activities haven’t escaped the zealous attention of the music industry and music giant EMI is attempting to shut down all digital reselling arguing that digital music is different to other second hand goods such as CDs or books.

EMI have therefore taken legal action against ReDigi seeking $150,000 for each and every track from EMI’s catalogue that has been sold by ReDigi since the service first launched almost a year ago.

A Manhattan Court is due to hear the case is on Friday and its verdict will be very keenly anticipated, both by the company concerned, as this will determine their survival, and also from onlookers in general as this case has the potential to be a landmark decision that could change the way music and other copyrighted material is sold.

The BBC has further details on this story here.