“The Copyright Act imposes a different policy and precludes protection for ‘sweat of the brow’ alone,” Judge Alsup explained. He analogized Bright Data’s actions to historians gathering facts from public sources, noting that only unauthorized access, not mere data copying, might provide legal grounds for action.
X Revives Lawsuit Against Israeli Data Scraping Firm : Broader Implications
The lawsuit underscores the legal complexities surrounding data scraping, especially when platforms seek to protect publicly accessible information. While X achieved a partial victory, the case highlights the limits imposed by copyright law on controlling content distribution.
Legal Teams and Next Steps
X is represented by attorneys from Kellogg Hansen Todd Figel & Frederick PLLC, while Bright Data’s legal counsel includes Proskauer Rose LLP and Rogers Joseph O’Donnell. Representatives for both sides did not respond to requests for comment.
