The issue focused on digital cameras that recorded videos without recording audio. Many smartphones used microphones and sensors to capture sound but video cameras captured images as well. Some phones even allowed users to upload pictures directly to Facebook or Instagram. The complaint argued that such apps infringed copyright law because they bypassed technological protections meant to prevent copying of copyrighted content.

Copyright infringement lawsuits brought against websites using automated technologies—such as bots—that mimic humans have proliferated over the past decade. Though robots usually operate within websites, courts