housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

[Kire]

Wow.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/04/r...rded/#comments

The first RIAA file-sharing case to go to trial just wrapped, and sadly, the outcome isn't a positive one. Regardless of the incredibly asinine and consumer-hostile comments made by Sony BMG's head of litigation the other day, the jury fournd Jammie Thomas, a single mother from Minnesota, liable for willful copyright infringement and awarded the RIAA plaintiffs $222,000 -- that's $9,250 for each of the 24 songs she was alleged to have made available on Kazaa, for those of you keeping track at home, and probably something like, oh, say, $222,000 more than she should have had to pay, since the RIAA plaintiffs weren't required to show that Thomas had a file-sharing program installed on her machine or that she was even the person using the Kazaa account in question. Of course, this is just one case and there's always the possibility of appeal, but anything that emboldens the RIAA's litigation team is never good for the general public.

[The Toecutter]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Just goes to show you how biased our court system has become. "Proof beyond a reasonable doubt" has become "accusations from moneyed interests." Voila, conviction.

The legal expenses for appeal(lawyers' fees, ect.) are typically beyond the reach of someone middle class or less well off. If she doesn't have savings set aside for an expensive lawyer, she's probably ****ed.

[Red Dragon]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

IS THIS TURNING INTO A TOECUTTER TOPIC NOW?!

Oh, and... WOW to having to pay that much when there are worse offenders out there than 24 songs.

[Armored]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Way to go guys!

[Alex]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Who would want to support this system?

[Bon]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

This is more heinous than that time when the RIAA sued people who didn't own a computer. **** them, I'll say.

[Chad]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Good. Pay for music, assholes.

[Armored]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Maybe if it wasnt mostly overpriced garbage people would.

I'd like to add that Garbage albums are worth the price and you should buy one 8)

[DK]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

I think you guys mean "housewife PWNED by record companies..."

[Armored]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

This is a desperate situation for her.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

[Chad]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

Maybe if it wasnt mostly overpriced garbage people would.

I'd like to add that Garbage albums are worth the price and you should buy one 8)

Don't buy overpriced garbage. Problem solved. If you like one or two tracks, you can buy singles, pick what you want on something like iTunes, etc; Don't buy music you think is garbage.

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: housewife ruined by record companies for mp3 sharing

thats bull****. 24 songs? they didnt even prove it was her account, that the program was on her computer or anything else. id appeal that 100%.

this is why i never buy anything anymore, greedy people looking to get every buck they can.