Google, Amazon Win Appeal in Thumbnail Image Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Google against Perfect 10 in a copyright case where Google put up thumbnails of Perfect 10 images as part of search results.  Perfect 10 sells adult content and complained that Google violated its copyrights by showing the images.  The District Court agreed and ruled the thumbnails were an infringement.  Through a detailed analysis of the applicable law, the Ninth Circuit said the images were fair use.  Amazon is also a party to the suit and was also included in the Court's decision.

The Appeals Court did send the case back to the lower court to determine if Google and Amazon had any liability when third parties link to search results. 

The story is in the Washington Post.  The case is Perfect 10 v. Amazon.