A federal Judge on Friday dramatically reduced a penalty imposed on Jammie Thomas-Rasset by a Jury last year that amounted to almost $2 million for the offense of sharing 24 songs over the Internet. U.S. District Judge Michael Davis, who knocked the $1.92 million penalty down to about $54,000 ($2,250 per song), described the original fine as "monstrous and shocking."
"The need for deterrence cannot justify a $2 million verdict for stealing and illegally distributing 24 songs for the sole purpose of obtaining free music," Davis wrote. Davis did deny a request for a new trial from Thomas-Rasset however, and has given the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) seven days to either accept the smaller penalty or ask for a new trial.
"Whether it's $2 million or $54,000, I'm a mom with four kids and one income and we're not exactly rolling in that kind of dough right now," Thomas-Rasset said. The Judge said that he came to the $2,250 fee by simply tripling the minimum $750 penalty defined by Federal law, but did indicate that he could have considered an even lower fine.
Thomas-Rasset's attorneys find the ruling positive but will attempt to get the fine reduced even further. RIAA attorneys are still analyzing the ruling to decide how to respond.
"Whether it's $2 million or $54,000, I'm a mom with four kids and one income and we're not exactly rolling in that kind of dough right now," Thomas-Rasset said. The Judge said that he came to the $2,250 fee by simply tripling the minimum $750 penalty defined by Federal law, but did indicate that he could have considered an even lower fine.
Thomas-Rasset's attorneys find the ruling positive but will attempt to get the fine reduced even further. RIAA attorneys are still analyzing the ruling to decide how to respond.
