Grokster, Ltd. and StreamCast Networks, Inc.
Respondents
Cindy A. Cohn, Counsel of RecordGrokster, Ltd. and StreamCast Networks, Inc. are peer-to-peer (P2P) Internet file-sharing companies. Such companies distribute software that allows users to connect to a network and download files off the hard drives of all other computers connected to that network. One of the most popular uses of file-sharing services is the swapping of music and video files often in violation of U.S. copyright law. In October 2001, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and a number of other media companies filed suit against Grokster and StreamCast, alleging that they were responsible for, and even encouraged, the widespread copyright…