LimeWire LLC is planning an enthusiastic defence against RIAA's lawsuit against them. Lime Wire is countersuing the music labels for anti-competitive activities, illegal restraint of trade, tortious interference, and deceptive trade practices. LimeWire insists that it is different from the original Napster as it uses a "truly decentralized P2P technology" and only allows users to install the software if they agree not to use the application to infringe copyrights. It sounds great on paper, but this argument never saved Grokster.
LimeWire had planned to educate users about copyrighted materials but music labels did not allow LimeWire to redirect users to legal alternatives such as iTunes. The only acceptable way of doing so, was to partner with iMesh – a P2P company with close RIAA connections. Lime Wire is asking for actual damages, punitive damages, and legal fees from the RIAA. The counterclaim states music labels form a practical monopoly that has engaged in the illegal restraint of trade. LimeWire agrees with the idea of "copyright" in principle: the owner has the right to control the making of copies. However, LimeWire argues that the RIAA is using its copyrights over recorded works as a weapon to stifle competition from anyone in the Internet distribution business. After MetaMachine (the company behind eDonkey) settled with the RIAA two weeks ago, RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol publicly claimed LimeWire was next.
Link: Neowin Forum Discussion
News source: Ars Technica
