Browse by topic

News

RIAA sues hospitalized teen

2 December 2008 17:38 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 61 comments

In another move that shows the RIAA has little respect for anything besides money, Pittsburgh news channel WTAE.com is reporting that Nineteen-year-old Ciara Sauro has been sued by the anti-piracy group for illegally sharing 10 songs.

Making the situation so awful is the fact that Sauro is hospitalized every week due to her pancreatitis and her need of an islet cell transplant. Her current accumulation of medical bills totals over $100,000.

WTAE says that �because she didn�t defend herself against a copyright lawsuit, a federal judge in Pittsburgh ruled she�s a music pirate, and that could cost the Sauros almost $8,000 in fines.�

Sauro herself paints a sad story. �I already have severe depression. I mean, it�s so hard to sit there and think that I have to get in trouble for something that I didn�t do. It�s not fair.�

Lisa Sauro, Ciara's mother adds: �You want to know the truth? I make $8.25 an hour. She can�t work. This child is very sick. I mean, what am I supposed to do?

�I just want them to know that I have to go through enough stress in my life with my sickness and my family, and I don�t think that they should go after people just because they want money for something that�s not even fair to us.�

RIAA, you have already sued dead women, 8-year old children, printers and 90-year grandmothers, but this is truly disgusting. This girl could possibly die as a teenager, yet you are suing her over $10 USD worth of tracks that she did not even download; just let it go.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

MediaSentry dropped by RIAA? (4 January 2009)

RIAA denied appeal (31 December 2008)

RIAA to stop lawsuits, will instead pressure ISPs (20 December 2008)

UK factory raid nets �1 million in pirated goods (13 December 2008)

Digital music sales to increase heavily by 2013, says firm (2 December 2008)

RIAA lawyers still fighting to stop Jammie Thomas' new trial (12 November 2008)

Nokia: Comes with pirated music? (12 November 2008)

RIAA suit against MP3tunes' CEO gets dismissed (5 October 2008)

Internet Radio saved? (29 September 2008)

Pandora and Internet radio need your help (28 September 2008)

« Previous news article
Nintendo makes $6 profit on each Wii sold

Next news article »
Xbox 360 outsells PS3 3-to-1 on Black Friday

Post your comment

Discuss this article!	There are more user comments available, read them here
Leningrad (Member) 5 December 2008 21:15
The Riaa's main source of income is obviousley sueing people. [ + quote]
laguna_b (Newbie) 8 December 2008 12:32
I, personally, have not bought a single piece of music about 5 years. I have bought used CDs, just a few and used LPs. Of course there is a vast supply of CDs from freinds available on their hard drives that require no internet to get. So, screw the RIAA. I plan to continue MY boycott. [ + quote]
Mez (Senior Member) 8 December 2008 12:51
Well, sorry to hear this. It is unfortunate. Since I have not heard of one of these in so long I assumed they had stopped the harvesting of the slow movers after hitting that one snag. I guess hauling persons in is not news anymore. Although, she was charged with 10 tunes she was probably doing much more than that. The media mafia will get enough blood for 10 tunes. Being hammered for 10 tunes is more ominous than sharing 100s of tunes 24/7 for months because you are too stupid to remove the files or turn it off after you are done. I don�t know the facts either but I bet I am closer to the mark than 10 tunes. This was a bad PR move but then I suspect that is what they want to project a merciless �Jaws�. I checked out the story. They are not all that sure what house was down loading the music. I was down loaded under the father's account which may have been moved to a different location. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8 December 2008 13:03
UFORocks (Newbie) 8 December 2008 13:03
Just because its "legal" doesnt mean its "moral". Even if the girl did download, or share 10 songs a $8,000.00 judgement against her is not right, just or fair, and anyone can see that. Hell, a judgement of 800% the value of the songs isn't fair to anyone, regardless of their health or wealth. [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 8 December 2008 13:17
anyone remember TBP and the autopsy reports of those children, same thing different playing field. [ + quote]
vudoo (Member) 8 December 2008 14:03
I read this story on p2p consortium. I just got a 1TB Hard Drive Sunday and I'm on BT Downloading entire discogrophy's of Steve Winwood, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Roger Taylor (formally of Queen), Steve Miller Band, Styx, Procol Harum, The Babys, Peter Frampton,Yes,Genesis and a whole lot more. Voodoohippie Radio on Streamerp2p will be one of the Best damn Progressive Rock stations you've ever heard. No repeats and teaching the masses how to re discover an era where Rock music meant something. I'm off line for now because I'm trying to get as much stuff as I can to share with the musically deprived adults for many years. I even announce the Artist/Song/Album it was played from so real musicians can get the credit. Great thing is I play the song till it ends and sometimes programs like Replay Music will allow you to rip some of the music I stream. So one won't have to Download a damn thing. All you need do is call my Rock line and request something and if I have it you may hear it on Voodoohippie(Progressive Rock/Metal). If everyone goes to Walmart.com and buys the Western Digital essentials Mybook 1TB ext drive you can Download all you want and share it. Plus it portable you can go to a friends house and plug it in to their computer and share what you have and snag more tunes at the drop of a hat. You can get the drive really cheap now so go to the site and buy one. Lets teach these bastards a lesson they'll never ever forget. [ + quote]
ChiefBrdy (Junior Member) 8 December 2008 18:14
I'be been curious about Blues music so I just downloaded three Buddy Guy CD's. While I was there, and even though I can't stand her. I downloaded some Britany Spears because it's poplular. It doesn't end there. Wanted and Dark Night, here I come. I was going to wait for Blu Ray but what the heck. FU RIAA, you are the lowest scum of the earth! [ + quote]
LordRuss (Newbie) 8 December 2008 18:20
OMFG... $8K for 10 songs that the RIAA probably can't prove that she 'really' did. After reading all the previous posts I have come to the conclusion that several of you folks have forgotten about a small quotation, down on the bottom of some obscure legal document that states something to the effect of, "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse..." I personally believe that line to be Bullsh1t as well. I don't have to be an engineer of automobile physics to drive a car, so why do I have to be a lawyer (of another multitude of subjects) in order to legally walk the streets? Its just plain, old fashioned, unadulterated greed folks. There are far too many lazy focks out there that want something for nothing. If the general public really KNEW the legal rights YOU have as a US citizen (sorry about you folks in other countries, I don't know your rules) you would know that "sharing" is not illegal. Only when you make a profit off of the content do you get in trouble. What the RIAA Nazis' want to do is now surround the "profit" tangent to include your friends. I.e., if I 'share' this with you, then you'll be my friend. Obviously, they can't make money off of that kind of transaction, so they make some sh1t up and because the judge won't question it and you (the consumer) are not educated in the 'law' won't know that you can argue it, you have to pay. I'm telling you, the 21st century is about to see a revolution that emulates the revolts of France and other oppressed nations that were based and grossly separated by class. People are really tired of these rich snobs looking down at us like they 'know' than the rest. When facts are, they just know how to cheat and steal better than the honest folks. You know why a rich focker has all that money and wealth? Because he did the cheating and stealing first and THEN made a rule that you can't do (write in your own action verb) without fear of prosecution (i.e., put more money in his greedy pocket)... [ + quote]
XENON (Junior Member) 8 December 2008 18:24
This is par for the course at RIAA. Sue everyone and everything and damn the morality and ethics. This girl if she survives will be paying prolly over a million dollars easily for her healthcare. Can't the relatives of the family sue the RIAA when (or if) she dies or if her mom dies because I would think the RIAA would be directly responsible for the death. whether they (RIAA) knew she was in the hospital or not, They should be nailed for negligence causing death and be sued til they disappear! (Seeing all these frivolous lawsuits are rampant in corporate America) just my 2 cents. [ + quote]
gbswales (Newbie) 8 December 2008 18:50
I think most reasonable minded people have always been aghast at the policy of going after young people doing what we all did when we were young - if any of you ever taped music and gave a copy to a friend then you are as guilty as this girl - probably more so because using P2P as I understand it the downloading goes on in the background from the directories you download to - lots of people who are not computer literate dont understand this - now when you handed over that cassette recording to your friend then you knew exactly what you are doing. I would support the industry in going after people who pirate and mass produce copies for profit but not ordinary kids - I doubt this poor girl could even afford to buy music - why shouldnt she have the same as those fortunate enough to have money and good health. What about all the kids that burn copies of CDs which are virtually untracable - it has to end somewhere. The music industry needs to sit up and realise that consumers are fed up with these multi million pound conpanies winging about losing a few dollars here and there. I would guess that less than 10% of all downloads account for lost sales. I joined many people here in boycotting CD's DVD's and any other recorded media that I couldnt listen to legally free of charge - and frankly I havent missed it much. I would suggest that we stage a mass boycott of buying music and films between now and Christmas - just to demonstrate what "loss of sales really means" They and anyone who pursues claims for petty amounts against sick and disabled and other disadvantaged people are just a plain sick symptom of this capalist mess we live in where profit is more important than people! We need laws to protect us but those laws should always be flexible enough to deal with reality - or are we to return to hanging starving 12 year olds who steal bread to survive (its only about 200 years or less since that sort of thing actually happened!) [ + quote]
maitland (Newbie) 8 December 2008 19:05
This is pretty bad. Maybe we should start a petition and gather signatures to send to the RIAA to tell them that we, the consumers, disapprove of their tactics... We really need to start a netroots/grassroots coalition to fight this menace. Wanna help set something like that up, AfterDawn??? :) ~Maitland [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 9 December 2008 0:06
nah, petition are useless need a netbomb, and bundle of virus's to finish the job. beside's swine like them,only change there minds at gunpoint. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9 December 2008 0:08
jimpeters (Newbie) 9 December 2008 17:29
*Quote:* The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA! Back in the real world... Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;) If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too! *Quote:* ...tracks that she did not even download; How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it! [ + quote]
dablur (Newbie) 10 December 2008 4:38
*Quote:* The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA! Back in the real world... Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;) Sorry, but you can't sue someone for losing an iPod that you agreed to let them borrow and they lost. Unless you write up a contract sayin if they lose it or damage it they have to buy you a new one, and they sign it. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10 December 2008 4:40
emugamer (Member) 10 December 2008 8:05
*Quote:* *Quote:* The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA! Back in the real world... Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;) Sorry, but you can't sue someone for losing an iPod that you agreed to let them borrow and they lost. Unless you write up a contract sayin if they lose it or damage it they have to buy you a new one, and they sign it. Small claims court. I believe there is a certain $$$ amount that emcompasses small claims like that. But you are correct in that it would be ridiculous to sue. [ + quote]
lott (Newbie) 10 December 2008 23:57
I have been purchasing music sense I was 11 years old I am currently 47 years old. Sense the the RAA started with there crap, I stop purchasing music and movies and I use to download music from p2p networks and share my full collections witch covered from classical to jazz pop rock new age well to make it short, I use to by on the average 5 Cd's 3 DVD's per month at least and that was on the wurst month, when there where not that many LP or tape 8 tracks or real to real well like I said since I was 11, to give you and idea I have a collection of 3987 L p's that covers 45/78 and L p's real to real 328 cassettes 428 and well in CD/DVD's at last count there was 3794 of then well like said I like Music to make and example I have dark side of the moon in CD cassettes tape and real to real, I love music and good movies, that was the way that I use to share with friend's and family by giving then what they most like movies and music, I have collected music that covers from 1938 till 2001A.D. When I stopped purchasing, both music and movies HO I for got 300 beta max and 914 BHS tapes that I all ready converted to digital format on PC. I have gone as far purchasing music from Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Austria, well on and on the most expensive CD that I purchased was from Japan after I had downloaded from a P2P share site and I payed $120.00 just to get that music, do I regret it no I was turn on it by the pear to pear network not by the RAA. I figure I cost Columbia house virgin, RCA, time life, fox time warner and so on and on well at least just on the kids movies in a years time $1598.00 in music well I use to pay in a years time for me and friends family $1298.00,. the was a time that I would do any thing to get or give in music and movie not any more you do the math, was I that much of a risk or a pirate,,, who lost,,, me or them,,, well they lost me as a customer till the time that they stop this crap,,, I got nothing Against the music and movie industry, just do not like greedy C.E.O.S and low life lawyers. [ + quote]
Jemborg (Member) 12 December 2008 15:14
Certain crimes seem to get more hysterical attention in the courts than others. Rip a thousand folks out of their life savings and you'll get a few years in a ritzy jail, out early ready to set up with your business contacts again. Whether you may think it's more than 10 songs ... 10 songs is what she is being charged with. For the past few decades we've recorded songs off the radio, LPs, CDs and etc. and swapped them with our friends not for profit. NOW it's $800 per song... Regardless of whether she's ill, the courts are sick for hitting her with that outrageous amount, what an utter travesty of law, what kowtowing bullshit. Its a lot easier being righteous than right. [ + quote]
dufas (Member) 24 December 2008 13:20
A lawyer is a lawyer is a lawyer...no matter what clothes they wear. RIAA has lawyers. The prosecutor is a lawyer. The judge is a lawyer. The defense is a lawyer. Many times, after trying to destroy each other in court, they will meet and have lunch or dinner together. It has always amazed me how a known sleaze ball, low life lawyer with political ties and that most people despise suddenly becomes a respected pillar of society when his political buddies appoint him/her to as a judge. The same goes for a district attorney being voted to that office. In northern California, a policeman, while driving drunk, hit and killed a 13 year old kid then left the accident scene. In other words, a cop was a drunk, hit and run driver. In this locale, that would get most people around 16 years [sometimes 25 years if it goes to a manslaughter charge..] in prison and many times, an additional substantial fine plus a possible wrongful death lawsuit. In this case, there was originally five felony counts against the policeman, [ who was not held in jail, was put on administrative leave, and still was paid his police salary..] The district attorney, with the judge's agreement, dropped four of the five felony charges and lowered the fifth to a 'high misdemeanor' [what ever that is ???] and made a plea deal of guilty without malice to four years in lockup. He can be out in 6 to 9 months and back on the police force because a policeman can still be a policeman if there is no felony on his record.... What has this got to do with RIAA lawsuits... The lawyers.... They are all the same no matter what their position or what cases they are involved in... By the way, the majority of politicians are also lawyers, which should explain why things are so messed up everywhere..... [ + quote]
garmoon (AfterDawn Addict) 24 December 2008 18:49
@dufas One need look no further than Senator Ted Kennedy who after partying let Mary Jo Kopeckne drown in an overturned car. Reported the accident the next day. He never served a minute. Still revered in the Senate today-but his time is coming and his 15 min of fame are near an end. [ + quote]
dufas (Member) 25 December 2008 16:22
*Originally posted by garmoon:* @dufas One need look no further than Senator Ted Kennedy who after partying let Mary Jo Kopeckne drown in an overturned car. Reported the accident the next day. He never served a minute. Still revered in the Senate today-but his time is coming and his 15 min of fame are near an end. You can add Senator Byrd to that list. He is a card carrying leader in the Ku Klux Klan. To this day he'll use the 'N' word and no matter how angry he makes the citizenry, his fellow Senators protect him and he still buys enough votes with tax monies to get voted in again and again and again. Barney Frank, comedian turned politician, is another that will screw the country for his own gain...too many lawyer friends.... [ + quote]
lott (Newbie) 27 December 2008 5:08
I have search this and found that the only one that is defended is the lawyers, by the lawyers. Is to kill all the lawyers and the world would be a better place, and it is true it would be, like William Shakespeare has quoted in so many of his work's. And lawyers all ways defend there position they are justed and represent that say they are justed but only for one side there pockets. It is all ways the same the only one that matters, is how or who can pay more, or how can they blame for there justification, and that is the law it has nothing to do with being just or to justifiable by what is right, that is what they call loophole, make it work in there behalf, that is all that matters not Justice. Did you know that a lawyer can not be sued, because no lawyer will take any of those cases. It would not be prudent, no not at all, is that right!!!. you can look at it yes the line is told by a crook, but it would be better if you where represented by your peers not by a lawyer, that is what they tell us, if you want a jury, or judge, what they do not tell that the words are or the phases, are to misleading for there be half, or how many times they tell you to disregard some testimony, I know, I served in a jury, or there say I will rephrases the question because the other lawyer did not like the question because it was not the answer that was in there interest, or to dismiss evidence for there behalf. So who are the crooks, an who are the bad ones. Just look at this link http://www.spectacle.org/797/finkel.html , an see how it is all twisted in one way or another, for the lawyers are Ur heroes. If there where justice in the world. we would not use those crooks called lawyers. [ + quote]
omar3333 (Member) 2 January 2009 16:07
Horrible. [ + quote]
bryston (Senior Member) 2 January 2009 19:04
*Originally posted by omar3333:* Horrible. Agree. Life is Grand ! [ + quote]
lamchops1 (Member) 2 January 2009 19:58
*Originally posted by bryston:* *Originally posted by omar3333:* Horrible. Agree. Make that 3 USC Trojans Rule Forever !!! [ + quote]
snyper198 (Newbie) 10 January 2009 9:00
*Originally posted by lott:* I have been purchasing music sense I was 11 years old I am currently 47 years old. Sense the the RAA started with there crap, I stop purchasing music and movies and I use to download music from p2p networks and share my full collections witch covered from classical to jazz pop rock new age well to make it short, I use to by on the average 5 Cd's 3 DVD's per month at least and that was on the wurst month, when there where not that many LP or tape 8 tracks or real to real well like I said since I was 11, to give you and idea I have a collection of 3987 L p's that covers 45/78 and L p's real to real 328 cassettes 428 and well in CD/DVD's at last count there was 3794 of then well like said I like Music to make and example I have dark side of the moon in CD cassettes tape and real to real, I love music and good movies, that was the way that I use to share with friend's and family by giving then what they most like movies and music, I have collected music that covers from 1938 till 2001A.D. When I stopped purchasing, both music and movies HO I for got 300 beta max and 914 BHS tapes that I all ready converted to digital format on PC. I have gone as far purchasing music from Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Austria, well on and on the most expensive CD that I purchased was from Japan after I had downloaded from a P2P share site and I payed $120.00 just to get that music, do I regret it no I was turn on it by the pear to pear network not by the RAA. I figure I cost Columbia house virgin, RCA, time life, fox time warner and so on and on well at least just on the kids movies in a years time $1598.00 in music well I use to pay in a years time for me and friends family $1298.00,. the was a time that I would do any thing to get or give in music and movie not any more you do the math, was I that much of a risk or a pirate,,, who lost,,, me or them,,, well they lost me as a customer till the time that they stop this crap,,, I got nothing Against the music and movie industry, just do not like greedy C.E.O.S and low life lawyers. I certainly hope English is not your first language, because I read your entire tirade, and it made absolutely no sense... [ + quote]
Jemborg (Member) 10 January 2009 9:11
I think he was saying he paid his dues to those guys over the years and deserves a few freebies, or something like that lol. Not 100% sure myself. [ + quote]