What is contributory infringement?
The other form of indirect infringement, contributory infringement, requires (1) knowledge of the infringing activity and (2) a material contribution — actual assistance or inducement — to the alleged piracy. Posting access codes from authorized copies of software, serial numbers, or other tools to assist in accessing such software may subject you to liability. Providing a forum for uploading and downloading any copyrighted file or cracker utility may also be contributory infringement. Even though you may not actually make software directly available on your site, providing assistance (or supporting a forum in which others may provide assistance) in locating unauthorized copies of software, links to download sites, server space, or support for sites that do the above may contributorily infringe. To succeed on a contributory infringement claim, the copyright owner must show that the webmaster or service provider actually knew or should have known of the infringing activity.
Contributory infringement is form of indirect infringement. Contributory infringement requires 1) knowledge of the infringing activity and 2) a material contribution—actual assistance or inducement—to the alleged piracy. Even though you may not actually make the illegal copy, providing assistance in locating unauthorized copies of music, literature or other works on download sites, server space or support for sites that do the above may be considered contributory infringement.
