It seems that anti-piracy groups in the US just got slammed, courtesy of a judge’s ruling in a Microsoft class action suit that was actually in favor of Microsoft! Microsoft used an update from back in 2006 to collect IP data, which caused users to sue. Microsoft then successfully argued that they did not breach privacy as the IP address does not constitute information which can identify individuals. The judge agreed and dismissed the case. While there is still more to this case to hash out (in the form of other opinions), this is a pretty nice precedent for the people.
Not surprisingly, there are many cases brought into court on the basis of IP addresses. While it would seem that only a pretty backwards court would deliver a guilty verdict given an IP address alone, there is no doubt in my mind the RIAA has convinced people to settle cases out of court by saying they have evidence of music being downloaded by an IP address. Then again, some of the American legal system seems so backwards that it would not be surprising if someone has been handed a guilty verdict on such minimal evidence. Hopefully this new ruling will help individuals to stand up to the record labels. Thanks, Microsoft!
