Judge rules BU can’t turn over names of music downloaders

BOSTON - A federal judge has ruled that Boston University can’t turn over the names of students targeted in a suit over illegally downloading music.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner said she needs to do a more in-depth review of the case, brought by several major record companies.
The ruling at least temporarily stops efforts to hold the students liable for copyright infringement.

Lawyers who support the students said the decision was a victory for privacy rights. They said it also makes it harder for record companies to win the roughly 20,000 similar cases they’ve brought nationwide.

But Jonathan Lamy of the Recording Industry Association of America noted the decision isn’t final. He said he’s confident the court will eventually allow them to obtain the names.