Wi-Fi Operators Not Liable for Pirating Users, German Court Rules (XBIZ)

Read the full article by Rhett Pardon at XBIZ.com

BERLIN — Germany's highest court last week upheld legislation that offers Wi-Fi operators immunity from acts carried out by third-party users.

The decision by the Federal Court of Justice now makes it easier for individuals and businesses to offer Wi-Fi without fearing civil prosecution for acts of copyright infringement committed by others.

Prior to the ruling, because of the legal concept known as Störerhaftung, or interferer’s liability, a third party who played no deliberate part in someone else’s actions could be held responsible for them.

As a result, Wi-Fi hot spots have been too few and far between in Germany, the E.U.’s largest country in terms of gross national product. Visitors from abroad have found themselves shut out at public venues and unable to access the web like they could in other countries.