A 148-page lawsuit accuses the tech companies of being involved in a ‘massive music piracy operation’ …
The Verge reports that the case is based on a claim that the companies are selling pirated versions of both albums and songs written by the composer, and that there does appear to be evidence to support this.
The lawsuit does, however, make a rather less credible: that Apple and the other defendants were not only aware of the piracy, but are motivated to permit it. Per Forbes.
It’s possible to see some of the unauthorized versions cited in the lawsuit in online stores. For example, there are two copies of the album Once Again… by Ethel Ennis available to stream on Apple Music, but the cover of one has been edited to remove the RCA Victor logo.
It’s obvious that none of the companies involved would knowingly allow pirated content in their online stores and streaming services; a claim of wilful infringement simply makes the lawsuit potentially more valuable.
Over the Rainbow is the best-known song referenced, but Arlen composed many others.
“Anything less than maximum statutory damage awards would encourage infringement, amount to a slap on the wrist, and reward multibillion and trillion dollar companies that rule the digital music markets for their willful infringement on a grand scale,” the lawyers insisted.
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