James Delahunty
11 Nov 2007 17:21
A judgment reached previously against mp3.ua, accused of copyright infringement, has been upheld by a Ukrainian court. The verdict obliges the site's operators, Internet Media File Ltd., to pay over US$70,000 in damages and an injunction granted against them will now be enforced. Internet Media File objected to the earlier verdict granting an injunction to IFPI member company HonestMusic.
HonestMusic noticed that mp3.ua was using 36 of its tracks without permission, allowing users to download them. UAMI, the IFPI-affiliated group that represents the recording industry in Ukraine, is working with the judiciary and law enforcement agencies with the aim to extend the injunction against mp3.ua to the repertoire of other IFPI member companies and to initiate the criminal investigation of mp3.ua and other sites in Ukraine.
"The Kiev Appeals Court verdict is a welcome and encouraging development for the music industry in Ukraine, where internet piracy virtually paralyses the development of a viable and legitimate online market for recorded music," Stefan Krawczyk, IFPI Deputy Regional Director for Europe said. "This judgment sets a precedent and will help us to ensure that Ukraine does not become a safe haven for the next generation of allofmp3.com-style illegal sites. It suggests that policymakers and the judiciary are waking up to the importance of policing intellectual property laws online."
Source:
Press Release