Woman owes $220,000 to recording industry over pirated music

[paularoid]

note after posting - I just noticed that this has already been covered in another thread AFTER I already posted it (below). Sorry 'bout the duplication folks.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11354.cfm

Update: Woman owes $220,000 to recording industry over pirated music
4 October 2007 18:54

Duluth resident Jammie Thomas has been found guilty by a jury in US District Court of having downloaded and shared 24 specific unauthorized music files and was ordered to pay the recording industry $220,000 USD.

The number, although ridiculously high, could have been much worse. The evidence presented shows that Thomas' system could have been responsible for pirating over 1700 tracks meaning she would have been liable for up to $16 million USD.

The case, which only lasted a day, had tons of testimony from corporate representatives including unbelievable testimony by a Sony BMG rep that said that all ripping of music from retail CDs, even for personal use, is theft. Imagine that, getting the music from your own paid for CDs, and you are a thief.

However, the evidence was too obvious for Thomas to have a chance. A shared Kazaa folder was found on her system although Thomas still maintains she has no idea who put it there.

Unfortunately, the shared folder linked to a Kazaa account which directly linked to an IP address which linked directly to a MAC address used by a broadband modem connected to Thomas' computer. Clearly too much evidence for innocence.

$220,000 USD for 24 songs, what has happened to the world?

Source:
BetaNews http://www.betanews.com/article/Guilty_Duluth_Woman_Owes_222000_for_Pirating_Songs/1191536175

[aabram]

Don't worry, Paul. This is a subject which irks many. I very much hope that Sony can sort out their problems over someone putting 24 songs on an iPod SOON, or the whole world will owe them thousands if not millions of $$$$$ They just want to ca$h in on other peoples need for a compact way to listen to their favourite music without them having to take their entire CD collection out with them. That just doesn't make sense. Sony need to move with the times and stop behaving so immaturely.

Annabel

[RedjackRyan]

I will admit that even though i was pulling for a judgement against Sony, the evidence against Thomas was pretty solid. Now with that said, This may still work against Sony as this judgement is going to be very public and most average people will react to the $200,000 for 24 songs as being ridiculous. Ultimately the fallout may well be that even more folks Stop buying music from labels covered by the RIAA strangehold.

This was only the opening salvo in what is sure to be a long and protracted war for the freedom to use what you've bought and paid for in the way in which you'd most like to use that item.

[DaveM]

Somewhere on my computer (I forget exactly where as I haven't used it in awhile) is a "shared" folder full of downloaded files. They are, without exception, public domain e-books and mp3s of old radio shows which are also in the public domain.

Mind, there are also MP3s on my computer which I made from CDs I own. Conversion was done for an obvious reason--to upload them into an MP3 player.

I wonder who is peeking into my computer and if I should move the downloaded stuff and delete that "shared" file. Also wonder if anyone who might be peeking has a warrant.

Who knows....someone might be banging on my door tomorrow with a warrant in hand for "possession of a hard drive".

I don't think this is over yet--just hope the woman in Duluth has the money for attorneys to get the legal matter sorted out. As for Sony....they know they aren't going to get that money, so the only thing they are likely to accomplish is ruining the life of a 30 year old who doesn't seem to have an easy time of it now. They should be ashamed of themselves.