Sony Corporation v. Universal City Studios, Inc.

Sony Corporation v. Universal City Studios, decided in 1984, was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case examining whether recording电视内容 for personal use constituted copyright infringement. Sony argued that using its BetamaxVCR for time-shifting—recording TV shows to watch later—was lawful under fair use. The Court agreed, ruling that creating personal recordings for later viewing was a legitimate, non-infringing activity. This case established the legal basis for consumers’ right to record television programs at home, significantly influencing the development of home video technologies and digital recording practices.