A US anti-bootlegging law was ruled unconstitutional on Friday
because it does not contain a time limit on the copyright
protection afforded to live music. This, said Judge Harold Baer,
gives "seemingly perpetual protection" to live performances.
The District Judge made the ruling in a criminal prosecution
brought against Jean Martignon, owner of an internet and mail order
company known as Midnight Records, under a Federal Anti-Bootlegging
statute.
Conviction under the Act can result in fines and jail time of
five years for first offenders and 10 years for serial
offenders.
Prosecutors are reviewing the decision, according to
reports.
