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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. v. Grokster

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
380 F.3d 1154 (2004)

Written by Kelli Lanski, JD

Facts

In a routine internet transaction, a personal computer (the client) connects to the internet and to a web page hosted by another computer (the server). The client therefore obtains information from a centralized source, the server. In a peer-to-peer network, information is not on a centralized server. Instead, each computer in the network makes information available to other computers in the network. This means each computer is both a client and a server. The information in the network is decentralized and must be catalogued so users can access it. This index of files available for sharing is critical to the peer-to-peer network. Files can be indexed in three ways: (1) centrally, by keeping a list on a central server; (2) individually, with each computer maintaining a list available on that computer only; or (3) using a supernode system in which some computers act as indexing servers. [Editor’s Note: No further information provided in casebook excerpt.]

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Thomas, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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