Opinion ID: 1239364
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Judicial deference to legislative control of piracy

Text: Defendants argue that copyright protection or anything providing similar protection should be controlled by the legislature, because it involves monopolies, the public good, and economic problems. The trial judge noted that legislation was introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly on July 17, 1973, to protect recording companies from piracy. Since the trial court decision, the bill was killed at end of session without action. We conclude that it is the duty of this court to act in circumstances where it is apparent that a wrong has been committed, and to furnish a remedy for that wrong when to do so is in accordance with previous statements of this court and would be fully consistent with the legislatively expressed policy of this state. Further explication of the duties of a common-law court are to be found in Metropolitan Opera v. Wagner-Nichols Recorder Corp. (1950), 199 Misc. 786, 101 N. Y. Supp. 2d 483; and Yankwich, Unfair Competition as an Aid to Equity in Patent, Copyright and Trade-Mark Cases, 32 Notre Dame Lawyer (1957), 438. In Metropolitan Opera, at page 792, the court said: In passing upon the question of the sufficiency of a complaint alleging unfair competition it is helpful to bear in mind the origin and evolution of this branch of law. It originated in the conscience, justice and equity of common-law judges. It developed within the framework of a society dedicated to freest competition, to deal with business malpractices offensive to the ethics of that society. The theoretic basis is obscure, but the birth and growth of this branch of law is clear. It is an outstanding example of the law's capacity for growth in response to the ethical as well as the economic needs of society. As a result of this background the legal concept of unfair competition has evolved as a broad and flexible doctrine with a capacity for further growth to meet changing conditions. Judge LEON R. YANKWICH wrote in the Notre Dame Lawyer, at pages 468 and 469: By using the concept of unfair practices, the courts have not sought to evolve absolute formulas. Rather, they have considered each case on its separate facts, and have sought to apply to specific situations flexible principles of equity aimed at fostering higher ethical business practices. Such treatment is desirable, for in a growing and expanding democratic order, changing trade conditions evolve situations that cannot always be anticipated. Therefore, attempts to formulate a unified theory may be as difficult in this field as in the field of science. Indeed, in science we deal with a physical universe which changes slowly, if at all. In law, we deal with social relations which are constantly changing. As the aim of law is to satisfy the continuing and expanding need for social control in a complex society, all jural principles must have within them possibilities of growth and development. We believe this court, as one of final common-law appellate jurisdiction, has the affirmative duty to protect rights that have arisen in the course of the centuries of the evolution of the common law.