In a crucial legal victory for record labels and other copyright owners, a federal jury yesterday found a Minnesota woman liable for copyright infringement for sharing music online and imposed a penalty of US$222,000 in damages.The verdict against Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., brought an end to the first jury trial in the music industry’s protracted effort to rein in piracy with lawsuits against individual computer users. Since 2003, record labels have brought legal action against about 30,000 people, accusing them of trafficking in copyrighted songs.Many of the people sued in such cases settle out of court for, on average, about $4,000, according to the industry’s trade association. Ms. Thomas chose to face trial instead, saying that she did not share files on the Kazaa network as the labels contended. She and her lawyer declined to comment after leaving the courthouse.
http://nytimes.com/2007/10/05/business/media/05music.htmlAlso see:
A jury deliberates the first file-sharing trial
If Jammie Thomas is found guilty of downloading 24 songs, she could face millions in fines. Is this the outrage to finally prompt a change in copyright laws?
http://www.salon.com/tech/machinist/blog/2007/10/04/file_sharing_suit/
Record Companies Win Music Sharing Trial [AP]
The recording industry won a key fight Thursday against illegal music downloading when a federal jury ordered a Minnesota woman to pay $222,000 for sharing copyrighted music online.The jury ordered Jammie Thomas, 30, to pay the six record companies that sued her $9,250 for each of 24 songs they focused on in the case. They had alleged she shared 1,702 songs online in violation of their copyrights.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/05/1191091340084.html
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-copyright5oct05,1,3431071.story
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/05/1191091340084.html
RIAA wins key victory, accused file sharer must pay $220,000
A Minnesota woman must pay $220,000 to six of the top music labels after a federal jury found on Thursday that she violated their copyright.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9791383-7.html