Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios

Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios (1984) is a landmark case that upheld the legality of home video recording. The Supreme Court ruled that Sony's Betamax video recorder did not infringe copyright laws because it allowed consumers to record television shows for personal use—considered "fair use." The decision emphasized the importance of technology in allowing individuals to enjoy media on their terms, ultimately supporting consumer rights and innovation in home entertainment, despite concerns from content creators about potential losses from unauthorized distribution.