https://www.npr.org/2023/03/26/1166101459/internet-archive-lawsuit-books-library-publishers
Please find attached an interesting article outlining the decision on the Internet Archive’s decision to make copies of and distribute copyrighted works for free at the start of the pandemic.
In summary, the Internet Archive argued their “fair use defense rests on the notion that lawfully acquiring a copyrighted print book entitles the recipient to make an unauthorized copy and distribute it in place of the print book, so long as it does not simultaneously lend the print book,”. U.S. District Court Judge John G. Koeltl of the Southern District of New York established there was no legal basis for this argument and ordered they stop this process.
This case raises interesting considerations, as the Internet Archive’s intent was to share valuable content with people who would typically have no access to it. If there is no aim to make profits, should some leniency be offered?