Copyright Infringement Criminal Cases
. United States v. LaMacchia (1994)
Facts:
David LaMacchia, a student, set up an internet bulletin board system (BBS) to share software without charging money. Though no money changed hands, the system facilitated massive copyright infringement.
Legal Issue:
Whether the existing copyright law covered non-commercial online copyright infringement.
Outcome:
Case dismissed because the law at the time did not criminalize non-commercial copyright infringement.
Prompted legislative changes, leading to the No Electronic Theft (NET) Act in 1997.
Significance:
Landmark case highlighting gaps in copyright criminal law.
Led to the NET Act, criminalizing willful infringement even without profit.
2. United States v. Jammie Thomas-Rasset (2007–2013)
Facts:
Thomas-Rasset was accused of illegally sharing 24 songs on a peer-to-peer network (Kazaa).
Legal Issue:
Whether illegal downloading and sharing music files constituted willful copyright infringement.
Outcome:
Found liable and ordered to pay millions in damages.
The case had several appeals and retrials.
Settled eventually for a smaller amount.
Significance:
One of the first major cases against individual music piracy.
Highlighted potential for heavy damages in copyright cases.
3. United States v. Kim Dotcom (2012)
Facts:
Kim Dotcom ran Megaupload, a large file-sharing website accused of facilitating mass copyright infringement worldwide.
Legal Issue:
Charged with criminal copyright infringement, racketeering, and money laundering.
Outcome:
Arrested in New Zealand; extradition battles ongoing.
Megaupload shut down by U.S. authorities.
Significance:
Showcased prosecution of large-scale copyright piracy websites.
Demonstrated international cooperation in copyright enforcement.
4. United States v. Joel Tenenbaum (2009)
Facts:
Tenenbaum was accused of illegally sharing 30 music files via the internet.
Legal Issue:
Willful copyright infringement through file sharing.
Outcome:
Found liable and initially ordered to pay $675,000 in damages.
Case went through appeals; damages reduced but liability upheld.
Significance:
Affirmed statutory damages in individual piracy cases.
Highlighted legal risks of unauthorized downloading.
5. United States v. Andrew Luster (2003)
Facts:
Luster was convicted for criminal copyright infringement for unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material.
Legal Issue:
Willful infringement and distribution under criminal statutes.
Outcome:
Sentenced to prison.
Significance:
Early example of criminal penalties for copyright infringement.
6. United States v. Joel McCormack (1994)
Facts:
McCormack operated a website distributing copyrighted images and software.
Legal Issue:
Criminal copyright infringement through digital distribution.
Outcome:
Convicted and sentenced to prison.
Significance:
One of the first cases addressing online copyright infringement.
Summary Table
| Case | Type of Infringement | Charges | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. v. LaMacchia | Non-commercial online piracy | No criminal charges (pre-NET Act) | Case dismissed | Exposed legal gap, led to NET Act |
| U.S. v. Jammie Thomas-Rasset | Peer-to-peer music sharing | Willful infringement | Multi-million damages awarded | First major individual piracy trial |
| U.S. v. Kim Dotcom | Mass piracy via file-sharing site | Criminal infringement, racketeering | Ongoing extradition proceedings | Large-scale piracy and international law |
| U.S. v. Joel Tenenbaum | Peer-to-peer music sharing | Willful infringement | High damages, liability upheld | Reinforced statutory damages doctrine |
| U.S. v. Andrew Luster | Unauthorized distribution | Criminal infringement | Prison sentence | Early criminal copyright case |
| U.S. v. Joel McCormack | Online distribution of copyrighted content | Criminal infringement | Conviction and prison | Early digital copyright case |
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