Is there an expectation of privacy on the Internet?

Today, a federal judge ruled that Viacom (who owns the rights to innumerable television programs) is entitled to the IP addresses and user names of those who watched copywrited material on YouTube. Viacom (whose dwindling revenues follow on the heels of a downtrend in network television viewing) aims to obtain significant actual and potential punitive damages from YouTube for violation of copywrite. The question remains whether the data which is being requested will ultimately lead to lawsuits against YouTube users. Why would we think that to be the case? Well, damage information as to the degree of damages which could be awarded to Viacom can be obtained based on the sheer numbers, rather than on personalized individual information. Anonymity can be protected. Yet, Viacom aims to obtain their "just reward" in unpaid revenues from YouTube at the expense of setting a dangerous precedent.

What is a precedent? From a legal standpoint, a precedent is a case which serves as a go-by in subsequent cases. Often, a precedent will be small and then end up carving out an entire new avenue of laws that expand the scope of the initial case in application as well as ramification.

What does this technology lawsuit mean to you? You know you thought it too. You use a site to upload videos and the potential risk to you is nil, as you have a made up user name. Now, with this ruling, it is possible that a company could obtain payment from you (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) by simply petitioning the court for your identifying information. Using your IP address, your internet provider can be identified, and the viola your anonymity is nonexistent. Is this the harbringer of a curtailing of Internet sharing? Your guess is as good as mine, but we should all be concerned. Ironic isn't it, that such a ruling should come the day before the 4th of July when we celebrate our independence including our right to privacy which is slowly being erroded.