Music publishers file piggyback lawsuit against LimeWire
updated 09:50 am EDT, Thu June 17, 2010
Group demands $150K per download
Eight music publishers have sued Limewire for copyright infringement. David Israelite, chief executive of the National Music Publishers’ Association, said his organization decided to pursue its claim after record companies won a similar lawsuit last month. The publishing group is claiming damages of $150,000 per download, the same as the record industry sought.
The publishing group consists of the four major publishers (EMI, Sony/ATV, Universal and Warner/Chappell) and four smaller companies (Bug, MPL, Peermusic and the Richmond Organization). The suit names as defendants Mark Gorton, who started Limewire in 2000, and Greg Bildson, its former chief operating officer. Israelite said that the group may offer to remove Bildson from the suit in exchange for his testimony. This strategy was used successfully by the record companies in their case.
Limewire is fighting to keep its doors open. Gorton says he is reorganizing Limewire as a paid subscription service, but he may be out of time. After winning its copyright case, the record industry filed a motion to shut down Limewire. Judge Kendra Wood, who is presiding over both cases, could rule on the recording industry's motion as soon as next week. [via NYT]
