Document: 392 U.S. 390 88 S.Ct. 2084 20 L.Ed.2d 1176 FORTNIGHTLY CORPORATION, Petitioner,v.UNITED ARTISTS TELEVISION, INC. No. 618. Argued March 13, 1968. Decided June 17, Robert C. Barnard, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Louis Nizer, New York City, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner, Fortnightly Corporation, owns and operates community antenna television (CATV) systems in Clarksburg Fairmont, West Virginia.1 There were no local broadcasting stations that immediate area until 1957. Now there are two, but, because hilly terrain, most residents cannot receive broadcasts any additional by ordinary rooftop antennas. Some have joined erecting larger cooperative antennas order to more distant stations, but a majority householders both communities solved problem becoming customers petitioner's CATV service.2 2 consist located on hills above each city, with connecting coaxial cables, strung utility poles, carry signals received home sets individual subscribers. contain equipment amplify modulate received, convert them different frequencies, transmit efficiently while maintaining improving their strength.3 3 During 1960, when this proceeding began, provided five three Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one Steubenville, Ohio; Wheeling, Virginia.4 distance between those cities Fairmont ranges from 52 82 miles.5 carried all programming customer could choose programs he wished view simply turning knob his own set. petitioner neither edited nor originated its own.6 charged flat monthly rate regardless amount time use.7 4 respondent, United Artists Television, Inc., holds copyrights several motion pictures. period suit, respondent (or predecessor) granted various licenses question broadcast certain these copyrighted Broadcasts made under Clarkburg customers. At did predecessors) obtain license or stations. not authorize carriage systems, instances specifically prohibited such carriage. 5 sued copyright infringement federal court, asking damages injunctive relief. issue was separately tried, court ruled favor 255 F.Supp. 177. On interlocutory appeal 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), Court Appeals Second Circuit affirmed. 377 F.2d 872. We certiorari, 389 969, consider an important Copyright Act 1909, 35 Stat. 1075, as amended, 17 et seq. 6 does give holder control over uses work.8 Instead, s enumerates 'rights' 'exclusive' copyright.9 If person, without authorization holder, puts work use within scope 'exclusive rights,' infringes copyright. enumerated 1, infringe.10 respondent's contention is infringed 1(c) exclusive right 'perform * public profit' (nondramatic literary works)11 1(d) publicly' (dramatic works).12 maintains 'perform' works at all.13 7 outset it clear conventional sense term,14 manner envisaged Congress enacted law 1909.15 But our inquiry be limited meaning legislative history, statute drafted long before development electronic phenomena which we deal here.16 In 1909 radio itself infancy, had been invented. must read statutory language 60 years ago light drastic technological change.17 8 thought controlling deciding whether 'performed' was: '(H)ow much (petitioner) do bring about viewing hearing work?' F.2d, 877. Applying test, found systems.18 mere quantitative contribution proper test determine liability context broadcasting. were, many people who make large contributions might find themselves liable infringement—not only apartment house owner erects common tenants, shopkeeper sells rents sets, and, indeed, every set manufacturer. Rather, resolution us depends upon determination function plays total process reception. 9 Television results combined activity broadcasters viewers. Both play active indispensable roles process; wholly passive. broadcaster selects procures program viewed. He may produce himself, 'live' film tape, network some other source. then converts visible images audible sounds into signals,19 frequency reception.20 Members public, means they provide, broadcaster's reconvert program. effective range determined employed supplied viewer.21 10 less than exhibitor picture stage play; supplies audience signals. viewer conversely member theater audience; provides sound images. Despite deviations situation contemplated framers Act,22 judicially treated exhibitors, viewers members audience. Broadcasters perform.23 Viewers perform.24 Thus, crucial process, line drawn them. One performer; other, passive beneficiary. 11 When considered framework, conclude falls viewer's side line.25 Essentially, system enhances capacity signals; well-located efficient connection set.26 It true 'active' role making reception possible given area, so powerful sophisticated, basic serves little served generally furnished viewer.27 erected hill, cable house, installed necessary amplifying equipment, would 'performing' result if erect same purpose. difference case owned users entrepreneur. 12 has broadcasters.28 fact rebroadcast.29 select viewed; carry, editing, whatever receive. procure propagate public; released private channels hold operators, like unlike broadcasters, perform carry.30 13 invited Solicitor General amicus curiae brief render compromise decision would, said, accommodate competing considerations copyright, communications, antitrust policy.31 decline invitation.32 That job Congress.33 take it. With due regard changing technology, works. 14 judgment reversed. 15 Reversed. 16 DOUGLAS MARSHALL took part consideration case. HARLAN 18 FORTAS, dissenting. 19 This calls Solomon dexterity Houdini. here asked how technical, complex, specific Congress, Act, applies recent products scientific promotional genius, CATV. operations based people's property. whether, use, material should compensated. From technical standpoint question—or least question—is constitutes 'performance' 1(c). understatement say including concept 'performance,' created mind. novelty incident new baffling problem. normal jurisprudential tools—the words precedent—to facts trying repair mallet. And aid derived attempts formulate special rules CATV—for vacillated approach.1 time, implications reach very great. hand, darkly predicted imposition full demise new, instrument mass communications; tool networks substantial number materials used industry. foreseen effect never infringe permit overpower pay, directly indirectly, increasing competition.2 21 vastness considerations, complexity conceivable equitable solution problems posed, obvious desirability ultimately leaving induced General, memorandum filed prior oral argument case, recommend 'that stay hand because, view, matter susceptible definitive judicial proceedings plenary likely delay prejudice ultimate solution.' 22 splendid thought, unhappily will do. I agree pass instant An legal involved. Important economic values stake, hazardous assume act promptly, comprehensively, retroactively. written day, factual situations, lead tread cautiously here. Our major object, suggest, damage traditional principles business relationships, legislates relieves embarrassment interested parties face. 23 majority, my judgment, heed admonition. attempt foster CATV, today abandons teachings precedent, precedent (see Buck v. Jewell-La Salle Realty Corp., 283 191, 51 410, 75 L.Ed. 971 (1931); Society European Stage Authors Composers Hotel Statler Co., (1937)), term Act. general practice reverse ourselves, compelling reasons so, matters construction, especially construction years' standing entire industry operated.3 Yet today's objectionable, replaced what considers outmoded interpretation equally clear, workable interpretation. not, however, this. removes which, though perhaps altogether satisfactory analytical matter,4 settled nearly 40 years; substitutes discarded rule believe intelligible guide Moreover, well disruptive consequences outside 24 approach manifested disarmingly simple. merely identifies two groups field television, believes clearly liable, theory: 'Broadcasters perform. perform.' premise, goes 'falls line. viewer.' Ante, 398—399. 25 Jewell-LaSalle, must, says today, 'be understood facts.' 397, n. 18. Buck, Court, speaking unanimously through Brandeis, held hotel master piped rooms broadcast. As understand holding mechanical extend significantly wider otherwise enjoy originally stands squarely path route traverses. performs 'little viewer,' seems me attached wire numerous distinguished.5 26 vague 'functional' is, moreover, unsatisfactory. Just (on majority's analysis) viewer, camera recording live drama eye spectator present theater. 'receive viewers.' 400. indulged oversimplification 'function' be, insofar geographical licensed (whose picked up carried) power cover, 'cooperative antenna' ameliorate image screens homes obstacles distance, description suffice beyond area—however defined—which normally serves. performing simple for, hypothesis, pick enable patrons homes. 27 Jewell-LaSalle ideal gloss word 'perform,' merit being law. overrule care needs wrong. task caring Congress. ax, law, cut straight, sharp, deep; theory architectural improvisation legislation can accomplish. see alternative following picks carries. accordingly, affirm below. For discussion generally, States Southwestern Cable 157, 161—164, 1994, 1997—1998, 1001. out 11,442 occupied housing units 7,900 subscribed service; 9,079 5,100 subscribed. utilized modulating during 1958—1964. Since changes systems. May 1964, carrying station four miles apart. 10%, originate programs. opinion. ranged $3.75 $5, also installation fee. Increased charges levied commercial establishments. See, e.g., Fawcett Publications Elliot Publishing 46 717; Hayden Chalfant Press, Cir., 281 543, 547—548. 'The fundamental (is) 'use' thing 'infringement,' short encouraged *.' B. Kaplan, Unhurried View 57 (1967). 'Any person entitled thereto, complying provisions title, shall right: '(a) To print, reprint, publish, copy, vend work; '(b) translate languages dialects, version thereof, dramatize nondramatic novel drama; arrange adapt musical complete, execute, finish model design art; '(c) deliver, delivery of, read, profit lecture, sermon, address similar production, transcription record thereof whole part, method exhibited, delivered, presented, produced, reproduced; profit, exhibit, represent, produce, reproduce whatsoever. referred subsection exceed sum $100 where infringing shows aware reasonably foreseen; '(d) represent publicly or, dramatic reproduced copies sale, manuscript whatsoever thereof; performed, represented, perform, whatsoever; '(e) composition; purpose performance purposes forth (a) hereof, arrangement setting melody notation form author recorded 1. definition such. Rather delineated negative fashion enumeration rights holder. See M. Nimmer, 100 (1968). 9, supra. claim animated cartoons 'literary works.' contends works, 'in public.' Cf. White-Smith Music Co. Apollo 209 319, 655. history attention directed dialogue transcribed audience, thereafter produced another party transcript. H.R.Rep. 2222, 60th Cong., 2d Sess., (1909). 'While statutes stretched apply situations fairly scope, narrowly construed evasion habits inventions discoveries.' Jerome H. Remick & American Automobile Accessories 411. A revision begun 1955 authorized studies Office. Progress rapid. Office issued report 1961. Register Copyrights, Report Revision Law, House Judiciary Committee Print, 87th 1st Sess. (1961). bills introduced Eighty-eighth Senate Eighty-ninth H.R. 11947, 88th Sess.; Hearings 4347, 5680, 6831, 6835 Subcommittee Committee, 89th (1965); S. 1006 Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights (1966). 4347 reported favorably 2237, (1966), enacted. Ninetieth again (H.R. 2512) (S. 597). bill favorably, 83, 90th (1967), after amendment, passed House. 113 Cong.Rec. 9021. contained provision dealing struck floor enactment. 33, infra. currently pending Copyrights. formulated applied Court's 971. Salle, unauthorized transmitted speakers room. noted differed if, original U.S., 199, 5, S.Ct., 412. facts. 30, obtains network, receives telephone lines microwave. Broadcasting defined Communications 1934 'the dissemination communications intended 47 153(o). 1312—1318 (1965). 15, 411 (radio broadcast); Associated Publishers Debs Memorial Radio Fund, 141 852 program); Select Theatres Corp. Ronzoni Macaroni 59 U.S.P.Q. 288 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.) network). validated decisions 1952 added 'infringement broadcast.' 66 752. 'One manually human agency actuates electrical instrumentalities, whereby inaudible elements omnipresent air persons hearing, Law.' Debaum, 734, 735. '(T)hose listen Electronic 829. While speak necessarily reference Lilly States, 238 584, 587: '(T)his service adjunct receiving connected District analysis aspects sophisticated amplify, modulate, frequencies received—operations require introduction energy system. concluded signal subscribers initially off air. F.Supp., 190—195. refused attach significance particular technology 879, agree. performed length deliver adequate strength. Most supra, 1312—1318. Whether 'same,' virtually instantaneous, 'information' identical. 192. Intermountain Idaho Microwave, 196 315, 325: '(Broadcasters) (CATV systems) engaged kind business. They operate ways purposes. selling facilities sponsors whom look profits. charge beamed directly, indiscriminately equipped '(CATV systems), nothing sponsors, content arrangement. sell segment (broadcasters') able, location topographical condition, rebroadcast relay antennae. *' 29 Vision, Inc. KUTV, 211 47, vacated grounds, 335 348; Order TV Repeater Services, F.C.C. 403, 429—430. 30 said dissent that, 'Our object Post, 404. existing 'business relationships' hardly preserved extending questionable 35-year-old actual context, post, 405, 3, retroactively impose acknowledged exist before. 18, 31 Compare, Note, Liability, 80 Harv.L.Rev. 1514 (1967); Liability: Clear Day You Can Forever, Va.L.Rev. 1505 (1966); 104—106 Statement Acting Assistant Attorney (Antitrust Division) Zimmerman, 211—219 32 'imply' 'performances.' 'implied law' cover 'Grade B Contour' whose Grade contour theoretical FCC outer along acceptable quality expected 90% best 50% locations. Sixth Order, Fed.Reg. 3905, 3915. implied license. 33 recently House, orginally detailed somewhat complex covering 2512, 111. Congressman Poff described terms case: 'By, effect, repealing CATV's committee recommends exempt fully some, provide others.' Cong.Rec, 8588. 6—7, 48—59 deleted refer Interstate Foreign Commerce jurisdiction communications. 8598—8601, 8611—8613, 8618 8622, 8990—8992. urging deletion provision, Moore said: '(W)hat seek feel supervision fast-growing news media media, legitimately come body direct same. '* devices policy functions 8599. 105—106, 127 128 merits, adopt approach—finding respect operations, others. Regardless advisability antitrust, relevant policies, open us, construing accept General's proposal. Minner, leading authority field, states although societies, ASCAP BMI, enforce doctrine logical extreme demand establishments bars restaurants amusement customers, demands hotels LaSalle Hotel.' 107.41, 204 107.41 diminish referring footnote broadcast, brought rooms, holder—as not. point. Whatever contributory action (which not), logically turn licensed.

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