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.
“The Recording Industry Association of America
welcomed the court’s decision. We “look forward to putting this case
behind us,” the organization said in a statement. The group has ended
its lawsuit campaign, and now sends warning notices to users caught
illegally downloading music.”
so like… are they looking forward to people not knowing how big of a douche they really are, or what??
reading the full article, i couldn’t believe that at one point the RIA was about to be awarded 1.92 MILLION in damages, BY THE JURY, but the court was like “WTF??” and lowers it to $54,000. RIA opts for a NEW TRIAL. and we end up at 220,000? glad this is still “to be continued” and not the final story for this lady.
i mean, this is A HUMAN BEING they’re doing this to. wish big labels that have a thing for counting numbers could find a place in their dark corporate hearts to figure out what that meant before getting into stuff like this. i’m sure they could come with much better ways to spend their time (and money.)