Illegal file sharing showing no letup

A year after the Supreme Court’s landmark Grokster decision — which set out to curb online theft of music and movies — illegal file sharing is as popular as ever even as Silicon Valley technologists and Hollywood moguls continue their awkward embrace.

The court’s unanimous decision that Internet file-sharing services can be sued if they encourage people to use their sophisticated software to steal copyrighted material was hailed as a victory by the entertainment world.

But the ruling hasn’t stopped the lawsuits and acrimony between the two sides. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) continues to sue tech companies. And in the past year, it filed some 6,000 suits against individuals it says are stealing material.

But changes are occurring, if for no other reason than the entertainment world needs the new distribution channels Silicon Valley can provide.