Once again, the feds are doing their damnedest to make examples out of folks who used programs like Kazaa, Limewire, and the like. Previously, we wrote a lengthy column about a former Boston University student who owes $675,000 for downloading/sharing a total of 31 songs. In particular, we got to the point that the fine wasn’t only absurd, but it was also unconstitutional.
Well, it appears that he’s not the only pirate out there getting a huge bill from the feds and RIAA. It was just revealed that Jammie Thomas-Rasset, of Minnesota, will have to pay $220,000 for sharing a total of 24 songs on Kazaa. She tried to get the case thrown out because she felt the ruling was excessive and opposed her constitutional rights. But the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minn. argued otherwise.
Here’s perhaps the most intriguing snippet from the full article you can read at Reuters. Also, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section:
The $222,000 award was not “so severe and oppressive” as to violate the Constitution, Judge Steven Colloton wrote for the panel. Rather, the amount, equivalent to $9,250 per song, was at the lower end of the $750 to $150,000 range that Congress established.
