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Federal judge finds student liable in music file-sharing case

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] A federal judge ruled Thursday night that Boston University graduate student Joel Tenenbaum is liable for illegally downloading music. Four record companies, including Sony BMG and Warner Brothers, brought suit against Tenenbaum in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, accusing him of illegally downloading 30 songs in violation of copyright laws. Tenenbaum admitted to downloading hundreds of songs, and Judge Nancy Gertner directed the jury to consider only the amount of damages. The jury began deliberations Friday. Tenenbaum faces a fine of $750 to $30,000 per infringement, or as much as $150,000 if the infringement is found to have been willful. In the only other file-sharing case to go to trial, Jammie Thomas-Rasset was found liable and fined $192 million last month. The suit against Tenenbaum may be the last to be brought to trial, as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December decided to discontinue pursuing those accused of illegal file-sharing in court. The RIAA has indicated that it will work with internet service providers to identify and then deny service to those who infringe copyrights. The RIAA has also sent letters to thousands of individuals with an offer to settle infringement claims out of court.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on July 31, 2009 (boomark / email).