MUMBAI: In a four-year-old case brought by The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a federal court has ruled that peer-to-peer service LimeWire and its operators are liable for inducement of widespread copyright theft.

RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol said, “This definitive ruling is an extraordinary victory for the entire creative community.  The court made clear that LimeWire was liable for inducing widespread copyright theft.”

“LimeWire is one of the largest remaining commercial peer-to-peer services. Unlike other P2P services that negotiated licenses, imposed filters or otherwise chose to discontinue their illegal conduct following the Supreme Court’s decision in the Grokster case, LimeWire instead thumbed its nose at the law and creators.  The court’s decision is an important milestone in the creative community’s fight to reclaim the Internet as a platform for legitimate commerce.  By finding LimeWire’s CEO personally liable, in addition to his company, the court has sent a clear signal to those who think they can devise and profit from a piracy scheme that will escape accountability. We are gratified by the court’s careful and thorough analysis of the facts and applicable law,” he added.

LimeWire CEO George Searle added, “The company remains committed to developing innovative products and services for the end-user and to working with the entire music industry, including the major labels, to achieve this mission.”

A hearing has been scheduled on 1 June to determine the way forward.