← Back to Timeline
2012

Now.in Internet Radio Sued by IFPI

Now.in 網路電台遭IFPI控告

Source: From Taiwan’s Pride to Suspect Overnight — New Technology Meets Old Law: Now.in Is Dead
From: Wealth Magazine, Issue 394
Date: March 14, 2012Author: Chu Chih-yi

The NOW.in online community platform was founded in 2009, primarily enabling ordinary people to realize their DJ dreams by setting up personal radio stations. DJs could upload self-produced or third-party music for listeners to tune into on the platform’s broadcast radio. This creative concept earned the two founders numerous innovation and entrepreneurship awards both in Taiwan and internationally — within less than two years, and through users across a hundred countries worldwide, 150,000 internet radio stations had been created. In March 2012, the Recording Industry Foundation in Taiwan (RIT, formerly IFPI) determined that NOW.in had not signed agreements with relevant rights holders to obtain authorization for uploading songs or publicly transmitting them, and filed complaints against Now.in for “copyright infringement” and “suspected unlawful commercial gain.” Founder Lin Fang-ben’s dormitory was subsequently searched by prosecutors, who removed computers, bank passbooks, and other items. The NOW.in website was required to cease operations that same day, triggering heated discussion and online petitions of support from internet music listeners.

Tags

#Broadcasting#Copyright#Internet#Streaming Music

External Links