Spanish Court Rules Against Labels On File-Sharing Apps

The MADRID COMMERCIAL COURT No. 4 in SPAIN has ruled that the file-sharing applications created by MP2P TECHNOLOGIES, a company created by PABLO SOTO, is not liable for compensation to the major labels and the "Spanish RIAA" PROMUSICAE -- because the technology is "totally neutral," reports TORRENTFREAK.COM.

"An analogy would be like if we created a private group of friends to share some information, photographs for example," the judge ruled. "But you can not then blame the developer [if people chose to share copyright material], since the only thing he has done is connect the friends."

The court also rejected the claims of unfair competition, noting that SOTO isn’t in the business of making and marketing records, and the plaintiffs aren’t in the file-sharing business.

"We are extremely grateful to the court for finding not only in our favor, but in favor of justice, innovation and in equal access to digital distribution," SOTO said. "The copyright conglomerates would like to stifle innovation but today’s significant ruling against this tactic echoes around the globe."

PROMUSICAE Pres. ANTONIO GUISASOLA promised that the content providers will appeal the decision, suggesting that the new Spanish government would take "resolute action" against people like SOTO.

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