Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Sony Corp v. Universal City Studios, 464 U.S. 417 (1984) (Docket Number: 81-1687), is also known as the Betamax case. The Supreme Court of the United States found that the making of individual copies of complete television shows for home use is considered fair use, and that the manufacture of devices, such as Betamax or VCRs, to facilitate that is legal. Arguments were presented on January 18, 1983, and re-presented on October 3, 1983. The decision was announced on January 17, 1984.
Sony developed Betamax, a video tape recording format (VHS would later outcompete Betamax). Universal sued Sony, alleging that because they (Sony/Betamax) were manufacturing a device that could potentially be used for copyright infringement, they were thus liable for any infringement that did occur.
The court ruled 5-4 in favor of Sony (Stevens, Burger, Brennan, O'Connor, and White in agreement. Marshall, Powell, Rehnquist, and Blackmun dissenting)
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Many of the same points of law that were litigated in this case are still being argued in various cases, particularly in light of recent peer-to-peer lawsuits. The DMCA modified the law this decision was based upon in several ways, and new interpretations are constantly being handed down. Facts
Supreme Court holding
Reasons
Majority opinion
Dissenting opinion
Subsequent history