Lessig, Liberation Music, Settle Lawsuit

Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig and Australian record company Liberation Music have settled a lawsuit over Mr. Lessig’s use of clips from the song “Lizstomania,” which the professor had used in a lecture and later posted online. The company claimed Mr. Lessig infringed its copyright. Mr. Lessig argued fair use.

As part of the settlement, Liberation Music stated,

“Liberation Music is pleased to amicably resolve its dispute with Professor Lessig. Liberation Music agrees that Professor Lessig’s use of the Phoenix song ‘Lisztomania’ was both fair use under US law and fair dealing under Australian law. Liberation Music will amend its copyright and YouTube policy to ensure that mistakes like this will not happen again. Liberation Music is committed to a new copyright policy that protects its valid copyright interests and respects fair use and dealing.”

The company also agreed to review its takedown policies, which seem to have gone somewhat awry in this case. A Liberation Music employee seems to have issued the takedown notice, and then upon receiving Mr. Lessig’s refusal, acce