In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, creative rights are constantly challenged, with AI and technology changing how content is produced and distributed. A recent court ruling sheds light on this issue. On September 4, 2024, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision against the Internet Archive’s book scanning program, deeming it an infringement of copyright. This ruling emphasizes that digitizing copyrighted works without permission violates creators’ rights, underscoring the need for fair compensation for authors and artists alike.
The lawsuit, filed by major publishers in June 2020, involved the Internet Archive’s practice of scanning and lending digital copies of books through a system called “controlled digital lending.” The court rejected the Archive’s fair use defense, stating that the digitized versions did not serve a "transformative" purpose. Rather, they directly substituted for the original works, thereby harming the market for publishers and authors who are entitled to revenue from their creations (Albanese). The ruling serves as a reminder that copyright law remains crucial even in the digital age, where new technologies often blur the boundaries of ownership.
This case resonates deeply with the music industry, which faces similar issues as AI-generated content and unauthorized reproductions challenge traditional notions of ownership. MESA provides a cutting-edge solution to this problem by using blockchain technology to ensure artists maintain control of their work. Through smart contracts, MESA guarantees that creators receive proper compensation, and every contribution is tracked transparently on the blockchain. As the Internet Archive decision highlights the need for permission-based use of creative works, MESA is leading the charge in ensuring that musicians retain the rights to their intellectual property.
AI’s growing influence on content creation makes these legal precedents more critical than ever. As the Second Circuit Court affirmed that the Internet Archive’s digital library did not serve a transformative purpose, MESA similarly ensures that AI-generated music does not undermine the rights of human creators. By embracing Web3 technologies, MESA secures both ownership and compensation for artists, protecting them from the potential exploitation of their work by unauthorized digital platforms.
The legal battle involving the Internet Archive serves as a strong reminder that in the age of digital reproduction and AI-generated content, creators’ rights must be safeguarded. MESA’s commitment to ensuring musicians are fairly compensated through blockchain and smart contracts parallels the values upheld in the court's ruling. As the music industry faces its own set of challenges with AI, MESA’s proactive approach provides a secure platform for artists to protect their work and their livelihoods.
Albanese, Andrew. "Appeals Court Upholds Decision Against Internet Archive’s Book Scanning Program." Publishers Weekly, 4 Sept. 2024, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/95865-appeals-court-upholds-decision-against-internet-archive-s-book-scanning-program.html. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
