The emergence of P2P file-sharing service has posed a great dilemma: advocates have insisted that the advancement in P2P technology encourages freer flow of information while the opponents have long argued that it induces copyright infringement, resul...
The emergence of P2P file-sharing service has posed a great dilemma: advocates have insisted that the advancement in P2P technology encourages freer flow of information while the opponents have long argued that it induces copyright infringement, resulting in massive losses for the media industry. Accordingly, this paper seeks to lay the foundation for healthier legal debatesurrounding the P2P services through thecareful analysis of the appellate court's decision in the "Soribada" criminal case, in which the P2P service providers were acquitted of all charge. We should also take into account the recent advancement in P2P technologies which inevitably affects the way copyright infringements are committed at each corresponding level, when reviewing whether or not it makes a case of copyright infringement.
Firstly, to that end, this paper will examine a series of case since 2001, the year in which seminal A&M Records v. Napster federal circuit court decision was issued: In re Aimster, MGM v. Grokster and the "File Rogue" case in Japan. And then will try to compare the legal stance taken by the courts in those cases with the "Soribada" case. Therefore, the upcoming Supreme Court of Korea's decision on the "Soribada" case will draw much attention since that the appellate court in the civil trial has already foundthat Soribada may be held liable for damages even though the criminal charges that were brought against the service providers of "Soribada" were all dismissed.
With respect to criminal liability of a P2P service provider for aiding or abetting a copyright infringement through omission, this case has suggested that in order to establish a duty to act there must be actual knowledge based on definite notice of infringement. Although Soribada is more evolved than its American counterpart, Napster, its main server still retains a significant role and actual sharing of illegal files surpasses 70%. Considering this situation, it is difficult to accept the finding that defendants who had been inspecting and managing the operation of the system periodically everyday did not have actual knowledge of the copyright infringement based upon the fact that they were not given a list of copyright-infringing music. Hence, this paper examines whether the duty to act has been interpreted too narrowly in this case.
Among other things, the fact that the norms regulating file-sharing throughP2P networks and the legal perspectives on the issue differ greatly from one jurisdiction to another, makes it a difficult subject to deal with. Therefore a great amount of effort should be put into setting new legal standards in line withthe legal interpretation put forth in Grokster and "Soribada" case. Apparently, there is an increasing need to examine Article 77 of the Copyright Act, a new provision limiting the liability of online service providers.'