Free WiFi: Provider is not liable
Verdict of the ECJ
A German proprietor of a lighting and sound system store provided a free and unsecured Wi-Fi network to his customers. One of them used this to offer a music album for free download. Thereupon Sony, the rights holder of the album, sued the shopkeeper. The ECJ now decided that he is not at fault.
The operator of a Wi-Fi network is not liable for copyright infringements committed by a third person. However, the ECJ stated that he could be requested to secure the network with a password. This is intended to prevent infringements by anonymous users.
Press release by the ECJ: Judgment in Case C-484/14
Find more information here: Liability for unsecured Wi-Fi
Related Links
ECC AT: Liability for unsecured WLAN
http://europakonsument.at/de/page/haftung-fuer-ungesichertes-wlan
Press release of the ECJ
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2016-09/cp160099de.pdf