Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc., et al. v. Grokster, Ltd., et al.
Decided June 27, 2005. David Hackett Souter delivered the opinion of the Court.
Docket 04-480 · 545 U.S. 913 (2005) · Cited 539 times
Holding
One who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, going beyond mere distribution with knowledge of third-party action, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device, regardless of the device’s lawful uses.
The Court’s statement of the holding, from the opinion’s syllabus. The syllabus is prepared by the Reporter of Decisions and is not part of the opinion of the Court — read the official opinion for authority.
How the Justices voted
Decided 9–0.
Majority · 3
- David Hackett Souter · delivered the opinion of the Court
- Antonin Scalia
- Clarence Thomas
Concurring · 6
- Anthony McLeod Kennedy
- John Paul Stevens
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg · filed a concurring opinion
- Sandra Day O'Connor
- Stephen Gerald Breyer · filed a concurring opinion
- William Hubbs Rehnquist
“Concurring” means agreeing with the outcome; any split shown is the Court’s judgment, not each Justice’s reasoning. Source: the Supreme Court Database (Spaeth et al.), Washington University.
Precedents cited
Supreme Court decisions this opinion relies on, ordered by how often it cites each. Cases in our collection link through; others are named.
- Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. · 464 U.S. 417 (1984)
- Henry v. A. B. Dick Co. · 224 U.S. 1 (1912)
- Kalem Co. v. Harper Brothers · 222 U.S. 55 (1911)
- Aro Manufacturing Co. v. Convertible Top Replacement Co. · 377 U.S. 476 (1964)
- Motion Picture Patents Co. v. Universal Film Manufacturing Co. · 243 U.S. 502 (1917)
- Dawson Chemical Co. v. Rohm & Haas Co. · 448 U.S. 176 (1980)
- United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. · 334 U.S. 131 (1948)
- TWENTIETH CENTURY MUSIC CORP. Et Al. v. AIKEN · 422 U.S. 151 (1975)
- Eldred v. Ashcroft · 537 U.S. 186 (2003)
Cited by
Later Supreme Court opinions in our collection that cite this case.
- Global-Tech Appliances, Inc. v. SEB S. A. · 563 U.S. 754 (2011)
Official text
Read the official opinion (U.S. Reports, govinfo.gov)
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David Hackett Souter’s profile · All Supreme Court opinions · The Supreme Court
Source: Supreme Court of the United States, slip opinions (2005). Citation count from the Free Law Project’s CourtListener bulk data. Data last verified 2026-07-03. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).