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RIAA Gets $1.9 Million in File-Sharing Case

By Chris

Jammie Thomas-Rasset was sentenced by a federal jury to pay the Recording Industry Association of America nearly $2 million for 24 counts of copyright infringement, according to multiple online news outlets. This was the second trial for Thomas-Rasset, after the judge presiding over her first trial issued a mistrial following a $220,000 verdict by the jury. Thomas-Rasset allegedly illegally downloaded songs from Green Day, Sheryl Crow and others from the peer-to-peer network Kazaa. Copyright law allows juries to fine a guilty party between $750 and $150,000 per count, ultimately settling on $80,000 owed for each song. Thomas-Rasset allegedly distributed 1,702 songs on the file sharing network, although the RIAA chose to focus on only 24. Some constitutional scholars predict this case could be appealed to the Supreme Court, noting that the compensation amount greatly outweighs the injustice done ? a clear example of cruel and unusual punishment...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Criminal Defense Blog on June 19, 2009 (boomark / email).