Andre Yoskowitz
4 Oct 2007 14:54
Duluth resident Jammie Thomas has been found guilty by a jury in US District Court of having downloaded and shared 24 specific unauthorized music files and was ordered to pay the recording industry $220,000 USD.
The number, although ridiculously high, could have been much worse. The evidence presented shows that Thomas' system could have been responsible for pirating over 1700 tracks meaning she would have been liable for up to $16 million USD.
The case, which only lasted a day, had tons of testimony from corporate representatives including unbelievable testimony by a Sony BMG rep that said that all ripping of music from retail CDs, even for personal use, is theft. Imagine that, getting the music from your own paid for CDs, and you are a thief.
However, the evidence was too obvious for Thomas to have a chance. A shared Kazaa folder was found on her system although Thomas still maintains she has no idea who put it there.
Unfortunately, the shared folder linked to a Kazaa account which directly linked to an IP address which linked directly to a MAC address used by a broadband modem connected to Thomas' computer. Clearly too much evidence for innocence.
$220,000 USD for 24 songs, what has happened to the world?
Source:
BetaNews