In December we reported how Michael Robertson, founder of MP3.com, had discovered evidence that major record label and staunch antipiracy advocate EMI had engaged in some hypocritical behavior by utilizing RapidShare to introduce new music tracks to the public after denouncing the site as a “Piracy Haven.” Now, as he continues his 10-year battle against EMI, Robertson has just retained Google as a valuable ally in the defense of his latest startup, music locker service MP3Tunes.com.
On January 3rd, the search engine giant filed a Brief of Amicus in the United States District Court of Southern New York in support of MP3Tunes.com. Robertson believes that this has more to do with how much Google has invested in cloud-based computing than anything else.
“Since Google has bet their entire future on the cloud it’s not a surprise to see them supporting MP3tunes,” Robertson told P2Pnet. “This will be a defining case about the future of cloud services”
When Google asked the court’s permission to file the amicus brief, EMI had predictably opposed it. The judge presiding over the matter, however, decided to allow the document to be submitted.
“[EMI’s lawyers] never miss an opportunity to fight, which is why this case has taken more than three years and millions of dollars,” Robertson said. “Fortunately the judge allowed Google to file a brief.”
In addition to Google, Robertson also has a few other noteworthy allies.
“Google joins EFF (the Electronic Freedom Foundation), Consumer Electronics Association, and Public Knowledge in filing a brief in support of MP3tunes’ and our personal cloud service,” Robertson says. “EMI also opposed their brief but the judge allowed that as well.”
EMI is, of course, quite unhappy with the way things are going and is enlisting support from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher (ASCAP) for back-up, according to P2Pnet.
So of now we finally have a copyright infringement lawsuit with the MPAA and RIAA on one side and Google on the other. This case has just begun to get interesting. We’ll keep you posted on the news as it progresses.
