The addition of ‘LinkBlaster’ software has been viewed as a concession to copyright holders who argue that their works are infringed by web sites that enable users to download unauthorised music recordings in easily transferable MP3 format.
By subscribing to an account on the MP3Board web site, copyright holders will be able to use LinkBlaster to identify what they consider to be infringing links to their material. The links will then be deleted by the web site.
Accounts will only be available to applicants who are easily recognisible as legitimate copyright holders. However, copyright holders will likely argue that the links should not appear on the MP3Board web site in the first place.
The unauthorised trade in MP3 files has been a major issue of late, particularly in the ongoing case against Napster in which the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is seeking a preliminary injunction to shut down the company’s web site.
The RIAA claims that by providing free software that enables users to download MP3 files, Napster Inc. is illegally contributing to the breach of copyright. A hearing into the matter is to be held today, although the judge’s final decision may not be announced until next week.