Well, if you're trying to create the next generation of digital content distribution, put down that laptop. Maybe you're an industrial designer working on a piece of hardware that would make it easy for you and a friend to swap a favorite record while riding the bus? "Freeze, it's the RIAA! Put down that bluetooth-enabled iPod!"

That's right, the Supremes totally kissed the ass of the entertainment industry when faced with the choice between a society that prizes innovation and a society that respects private property over and above all -- except, of course, for people in poor neighborhoods that private interests want to 'redevelop' for fun (but mostly profit).

Of course, the Supremes say that they upheld the Sony v. Betamax precdent, and have simply thrown the case back to our belovedly liberal 9th Circuit to consider the case by an 'inducement to infringe' standard. We'd like to point out that we were induced to infringe not by the tools, but by the fact that a piece-of-s**t CD costs $20 and in a year will be more scratched-up than two queens in a catfight. Or $10 for a movie ticket in a cramped theater with a tiny screen to watch a film starring Vin Diesel. So maybe, just maybe, the greed of the studios and labels will be what's held liable.

We know, we know -- fat chance. BoingBoing has a good round-up of coverage around the internets (and expect a certain C.D. to go off on a rant like no other shortly). We'd like to thank the team at the EFF for mounting a brilliant defense. Remember, kids, the first rule of tech law -- old people just don't understand.

Update: We hereby induce you to download a torrent of the press conference held by the defense in the wake of the court's decision.