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Altnet reaches settlement with Loudeye and Overpeer

16 May 2006 21:00 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 3 comments

In a patent infringement case that kicked off in 2004, Altnet, a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc., has announced it has reached a settlement with Loudeye and Overpeer. The suit was originally brought against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Loudeye Corp., Overpeer Inc., Media Sentry (now part of SafeNet) and a number of individuals. Media Sentry and Overpeer were two of the companies responsible for "poisoning" P2P networks like FastTrack with fake files.

The method used to distribute these spoof files infringed two patents critical to P2P business. RIAA executives and other defendants were reportedly put on notice about their infringement of the patents before the lawsuit was brought. "We welcome this settlement as an important step toward the acknowledgment and recognition of the TrueName patents as a prerequisite to legitimate utilization and exploitation of P2P technology." said Kevin Bermeister, CEO of Altnet.

Overpeer has admitted that its activities did in fact infringe the TrueName patents in question, and has further undertaken not to engage in those activities in future. "It validates the position Altnet has held with regard to treatment of piracy occurring within P2P applications and establishes with clarity the underlying importance for Altnet to be considered an integral part of the future online entertainment industry," said Mr. Bermeister.

The settlement was filed in the Los Angeles District Court. The case against the remaining defendants will likely go to trial next year.

Source:
Altnet (Press Release)

Permalink to this article

Nokia to acquire Loudeye for $60 million (8 August 2006)

RIAA sued by P2P company for alleged patent infringement (8 September 2004)

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Discuss this article!
Cinnjerm (Junior Member) 16 May 2006 23:57
Just glad to see my freedom to bootleg being defended. [ + quote]
crowy (Senior Member) 17 May 2006 21:05
I had suspected this was going on for some time. [ + quote]
bluedogs (Junior Member) 20 May 2006 3:24
strike one up for the little guys thanks fellas [ + quote]