RIAA settles with Grokster
The owners and operators of Grokster have settled with the major record labels and music publishers in the MGM v. Grokster case, according to an RIAA press release. The settlement apparently does not include Streamcast.
According to the release, "The settlement includes a permanent injunction prohibiting infringement – directly or indirectly – of any of the plaintiffs’ copyrighted works. This includes ceasing immediately distribution of the Grokster client application and ceasing to operate the Grokster system and software."
The Grokster site now says:
"There are legal services for downloading music and movies. This service is not one of them. Grokster hopes to have a safe and legal service available soon."
So it looks like a licensed version of Grokster is on its way. RIAA and NMPA leadership hailed the settlement as a move towards licensed online music services. The case is currently on remand in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, following the Supreme Court's June decision. See prior post for background.
In October the parties to the case postponed the case's next status conference until today, and with the settlement a consent judgment will likely be submitted to the court for approval today.
