LOS ANGELES - A federal judge said Monday that evidence favors a coalition of entertainment companies in their landmark copyright infringement case against a distributor of online file-sharing software. U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson made the statement during a hearing in the case against StreamCast Inc., the firm behind Morpheus online file-swapping software.
"In the court's view, the evidence is overwhelming in favor of the moving parties," Wilson said.
The hearing was held to consider a motion for summary judgment by the coalition of Hollywood studios, music publishers and recording companies that filed the lawsuit in 2001.
Meanwhile, negotiations continued between the plaintiffs and Sharman Networks Ltd., which distributes Kazaa file-swapping software. No agreement had been reached by Monday, a person familiar with the discussions said on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of the talks. Sharman was not part of the motion heard Monday.
Wilson asked lawyers for both sides to submit briefs about several unresolved issues by July 25 before he decides whether StreamCast is liable or sends the case to a jury trial.
Details here from the AP via the San Jose Mercury News.