Aimster slapped with lawsuits

Another file-sharing network has been slapped with two new copyright infringement suits. Six major film studios: Disney, MGM, Paramount, Sony, 20th Century Fox, and Universal filed suit against the network in California. Another complaint, filed in Manhattan District Court by Time Warner is pending. According to Reuters, the studios are claiming that the network is copying and distributing copyrighted works similar to what Napster did. The only difference between the two companies is that Aimster users can trade in any type of file, including digitized motion pictures. Aimster co-founder Johnny Deep said the company said the suits are an attempt by the entertainment industry to railroad the company into a settlement by forcing it to fight expensive battles. “We’re a legitimately small company,” he told Reuters. “It’s hard enough for us to defend ourselves in one jurisdiction, let alone three.” Aimster is inviting users on their Web site to make a “voluntary payment” to help the company against legal challenges.