Peer-to-Peer File Sharing: The Case of the Music Recording Industry

The music recording industry is a highly-concentratedfive firm oligopoly. Much of the dominance achievedby larger firms in the industry results from control over the distribution and promotion of theproducts of the industry. Alexander (1994b), predictedthat new compression routines would facilitate the efficient transfer of digital music across the internet.MP3 compression routines have made such transfersrelatively simple and efficient. While smaller new entrants have not yet been able to exploit this newtechnology in terms of market share, an element ofuncertainty exists regarding the sustainability of the prevailing structure, due to large scale non-sanctionedfile sharing. Despite the industry's legal efforts tosuppress non-sanctioned file distribution, peer-to-peer networks may render these efforts futile. However,peer-to-peer networks must overcome structural andinstitutional problems, in particular, free-riding.     

从Napster到Grokster--对网络版权保护间接责任的一些讨论

该文从Napster和Grokster两个案子不同的判决以及其法律背景出发，以网络版权保护间接责任为视角对版权保护进行了讨论。认为版权法需要扮演一个利益平衡的角色，以保护作者和其他版权人在信息社会的正当权益。