MusicCity/EFF Answer to MPAA/RIAA Members' Complaint

in MGM et al. v. Grokster et al. (Dec. 17, 2001)

ANDREW P. BRIDGES, State Bar No. 122761
RICHARD NESSARY, State Bar No. 180682
JENNIFER A. GOLINVEAUX, State Bar No. 203056
TERRI Y. CHEN, State Bar No. 209854
ALEXANDER D. MACGILLIVRAY, State Bar No. 212770
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
Telephone: (650) 493-9300
Facsimile: (650) 493-6811

CINDY A. COHN, State Bar No. 145997
FRED VON LOHMANN, State Bar No. 192657
ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
454 Shotwell Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Telephone: (415) 436-9333 x 123
Facsimile: (415) 436-9993

JOSEPH R. TAYLOR, State Bar No. 129933
JEFFREY K. COMPTON, State Bar No. 142969
LINER YANKELEVITZ SUNSHINE & REGENSTREIF
3130 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Telephone: (310) 881-2192
Facsimile: (310) 453-5901

Attorneys for Defendants MusicCity.com, Inc. (now known as StreamCast Networks, Inc.) and MusicCity Networks, Inc.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
WESTERN DIVISION

Jerry Leiber, et al.,
Plaintiffs,

 

CASE NO.: CV-01-09923 GAF(SHx)

v.  

ANSWER OF MUSICCITY.COM, INC. (NOW KNOWN AS STREAMCAST NETWORKS, INC.) AND MUSICCITY NETWORKS, INC. TO COMPLAINT

Consumer Empowerment BV, et al.,
Defendants.

 

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Defendant MusicCity.com, Inc. (now known as StreamCast Networks, Inc.) and defendant MusicCity Networks, Inc. (referred to together below as Òthe MusicCity DefendantsÓ) hereby respond to the complaint as follows:

1. The MusicCity Defendants admit that this Court has jurisdiction over the action. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 1 of the complaint.

2. The MusicCity Defendants deny that they participate in, facilitate, materially contribute to, or encourage any infringements. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 2 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

3. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 3 of the complaint.

4. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 4 of the complaint.

5. The MusicCity Defendants admit that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ¤¤ 1331 and 1338(a). The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 5.

6. The MusicCity Defendants admit that venue is proper in this district.

7. The MusicCity Defendants admit that this Court has personal jurisdiction in this action. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 7 of the complaint.

8. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 8 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

9. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 9 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

10. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 10 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

11. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 11 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

12. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 12 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

13. The MusicCity Defendants deny that MusicCity Networks, Inc. has a place of business in Woodland Hills, California. Except for the fact that Defendant MusicCity.com, Inc. is now formally known as StreamCast Networks, Inc. (which does business as MusicCity.com, Inc.), the MusicCity Defendants admit the remaining allegations of paragraph 13 of the complaint.

14. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 14 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

15. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 15 of the complaint.

16. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 16 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

17. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 17 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

18. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 18 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

19. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 19 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

20. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 20 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

21. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 21 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

22. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the Internet is a worldwide network of millions of computers and that the Internet has created new opportunities for distribution of music. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 22 of the complaint.

23. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 23 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

24. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 24 of the complaint.

25. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 25 of the complaint.

26. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 26 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

27. The MusicCity Defendants admit that Consumer Empowerment BV calls its software ÒKaZaA.Ó The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny whether the alleged quote appears on the www.kazaa.com website and on that basis deny those allegations. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 27 of the complaint.

28. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 28 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

29. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 29 of the complaint.

30. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 30 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

31. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 31 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

32. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 32 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

33. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 33 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

34. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 34 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

35. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 35 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

36. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 36 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

37. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 37 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

38. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 38 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

39. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 39 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

40. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 40 of the complaint.

41. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 41 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

42. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 42 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

43. The MusicCity Defendants admit that MusicCity licensed software from Consumer Empowerment BV. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 43 of the complaint.

44. The MusicCity Defendants deny that MusicCity launched or offers an infringing service and deny that MusicCity releases software on its website. The MusicCity Defendants admit the remaining allegations of paragraph 44.

45. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the Morpheus software provides users with tools to search the user-created network to look for files on other computers. The MusicCity Defendants admit that a user of Morpheus can download a file directly from a fellow user who hosts it. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the following quote appears on the musiccity.com website: ÒWhere traditional search engines search the World Wide Web, Morpheus searches thousands of computers at once, all connected through MusicCity network of users.Ó The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 45.

46. The MusicCity Defendants admit that a user of the Morpheus software may designate files he or she wishes to share with other users of Morpheus software. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the Morpheus software can specify folders on a userÕs hard drive that the software program recognizes. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 46.

47. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 47 of the complaint.

48. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 48 of the complaint.

49. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 49 of the complaint.

50. The MusicCity Defendants admit that MusicCity provides users with on-line chat rooms and message boards. The MusicCity Defendants admit that a user need not take advantage of MusicCityÕs chat rooms or message boards in order to use the Morpheus software. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 50 of the complaint.

51. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 51 of the complaint.

52. The MusicCity Defendants deny that they participate in, facilitate, and materially contribute to any infringement. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 52 of the complaint and on that basis deny those allegations.

53. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 53 of the complaint.

54. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 54 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

55. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 55 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

56. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 56 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

57. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 57 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

58. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 58 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

59. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 59 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

60. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 60 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

61. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 61 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

62. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 62 the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

63. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 63 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

64. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 64 of the complaint and on that basis deny the allegations.

65. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the MusicCity Terms of Service state that ÒUnauthorized copying, distribution, modification, public display, or public performance of copyrighted works is an infringement of the copyright holdersÕ rightsÓ and that users are Òput on notice that you are entirely responsible for your content and for ensuring that it comports with all applicable laws, including all copyright and data-protection laws.Ó The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegation that identical language appears on the other defendantsÕ websites. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 65.

66. The MusicCity Defendants deny that MusicCity operates an infringing service or induces the unauthorized distribution and reproduction of copyrighted works. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 66 of the complaint and on that basis deny those allegations.

67. The MusicCity Defendants admit that MusicCity reserves the right to unilaterally terminate a userÕs account. The MusicCity Defendants deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 67.

68. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 68.

69. The MusicCity Defendants admit that the Morpheus software interface displays advertisements from, among other companies, DirecTV-DSL, Multi Technology Equipment LLC, and Iomegadirect. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 69 of the complaint and on that basis deny those allegations.

70. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 70.

71. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 71.

72. The MusicCity Defendants admit that plaintiffs purport to bring this action as a class action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a), (b)(2) & (3) on behalf of a Class, which plaintiffs purport to define.

73. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations in the last sentence of paragraph 73. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 73 of the complaint and on that basis deny those allegations.

74. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 74.

75. The MusicCity Defendants deny that plaintiffs will adequately protect the class and that plaintiffs have no interests that are in conflict with the class. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the remaining allegations of paragraph 75 and on that basis deny those allegations.

76. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 76.

77. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 77.

78. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 78.

79. The MusicCity Defendants lack sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations of paragraph 79 and on that basis deny those allegations.

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION

80. The MusicCity Defendants hereby incorporate their responses to paragraphs 1-79 above.

81. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 81.

82. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 82.

83. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 83.

84. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 84.

85. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 85.

86. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 86.

87. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 87.

88. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 88.

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION

89. The MusicCity Defendants hereby incorporate their responses to paragraphs 1-88 above.

90. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 90.

91. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 91.

92. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 92.

93. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 93.

94. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 94.

95. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 95.

96. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 96.

97. The MusicCity Defendants deny the allegations of paragraph 97.

AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

1. The complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

2. Plaintiffs have failed to join indispensable parties.

THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

3. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the doctrine of unclean hands.

FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

4. Plaintiffs' claims are barred because they cannot establish that Defendants' products are incapable of substantial non-infringing uses.

FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

5. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by license, consent, acquiescence, waiver, and estoppel.

SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

6. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

7. PlaintiffsÕ claims with respect to sound recordings are barred by the Audio Home Recording Act.

EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

8. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the doctrine of the privilege of competition.

NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

9. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the doctrine of fair use.

TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

10. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

11. PlaintiffsÕ claims for statutory damages are barred by the U.S. Constitution.

TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

12. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred for lack of subject matter jurisdiction to the extent Plaintiffs lack valid registrations of copyrights alleged in the complaint.

THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

13. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred to the extent they have caused fraud upon the Copyright Office.

FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

14. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by the first sale doctrine.

FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

15. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred by their failure to mitigate damages.

SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

16. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred to the extent they have forfeited or abandoned copyright.

SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

17. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred to the extent they claim copyright in works that are immoral, illegal, or libelous.

EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

18. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred because of deceptive and misleading advertising in connection with distribution of the copyrighted works.

NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

19. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred to the extent any persons, based on whose behavior Plaintiffs seek to hold Defendants liable, are innocent infringers.

TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

20. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred because they are preempted by patent law.

TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

21. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred because they are asserted in violation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers.

TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

22. PlaintiffsÕ claims are barred to the extent they lack standing to assert claims for each claimed copyright.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, the MusicCity Defendants ask the Court for judgment as follows:

  1. A. That Plaintiffs take nothing by their complaint;
  2. B. That the MusicCity Defendants be awarded their costs and attorneys fees with respect to this action; and
  3. C. For other relief as the Court determines to be just and equitable.

Respectfully submitted,

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation

Dated: December 17, 2001

By: _______________________________
Andrew P. Bridges

Attorneys for Defendants MusicCity.com, Inc. (now known as StreamCast Networks, Inc.) and MusicCity Networks, Inc.


DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

The MusicCity Defendants hereby demand trial by jury of all issues that may be tried by jury.

Respectfully submitted,

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation

Dated: December 17, 2001

By: _______________________________
Andrew P. Bridges

Attorneys for Defendants MusicCity.com, Inc. (now known as StreamCast Networks, Inc.) and MusicCity Networks, Inc.


PROOF OF SERVICE

I am employed in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, over the age of eighteen years, and not a party to this action. My business address is Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif LLP, 3130 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Santa Monica, California 90403. On December 17, 2001, I served the within document: ANSWER OF MUSICCITY.COM, INC. (NOW KNOWN AS STREAMCAST NETWORKS, INC.) AND MUSICCITY NETWORKS, INC. TO COMPLAINT in this action, by placing a true copy thereof enclosed in a sealed envelope as follows:

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States and the State of California that the above is true and correct. I declare that I am employed in the office of a member of the bar of this court at whose direction the service was made.

Executed on December 17, 2001, at Santa Monica, California.

____________________________
Natalia Speer