CEO COULD BE BLINDED BY FLAMES OF MARTYR'S FIRE
The online music provider plans to persevere against a federal judge's ruling that it willfully violated copyrights of Universal Music Group and may have to pay up to $250 million in damages.
"It continues to be our belief that consumers should have the right to listen to music they have purchased—anytime and anywhere, including on the Internet," said CEO michael robertson',390,400);">michael robertson',390,400);">Michael Robertson in a statement from an interview with himself on his Web site.
Despite the decision handed down Wednesday (9/6) by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, Robertson said MP3.com is continuing negotiations with UMG. "It continues to be our desire to use our technology infrastructure in concert with all of the major record labels, including Universal, to deliver music over the Internet to consumers who have clearly exhibited a hunger for online digital music."
The trial is entering a third phase, where the judge must determine the number of copyrights for which UMG will receive damages. That decision is expected in November. Robertson said that will not be the end of the legalities. "Regardless of the aggregate judgement, we intend to pursue an appeal of all appropriate issues related to this lawsuit, including the court's decision regarding the ‘willfulness' issue and level of statutory damages, as well as the court's ruling on the issue of ‘fair use.'"
Regardless of the outcome, Robertson said MP3.com's battle will further the cause of Internet music.
"We are working with several legislators in Washington DC to review current copyright laws and possibly revise those laws to clarify a consumer's right to listen to the music they purchase, with or without the assistance of technology companies like MP3.com," said Robertson. "There continues to be confusion about what a consumer can and cannot do with a CD once purchased. We feel that clarification of this aspect of the various copyright provisions should be addressed at the legislative level."
MP3.com continues its day-to-day operations and is working to relaunch its My.MP3.com program. Artists who have posted works to the site are not affected.
"The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades," added Robertson. "That's not copyrighted, is it?"
