Filesharing mum ordered to pay nearly $2m

[Gary]

Gary,

No Vera Lynn 78's I presume??

I didnt know you were that old Q 

[colonelsun]

I didnt know you were that old Q 

I would second that emotion....as Diana Ross said.

Q's avatar suggests a 25 year old to me.

[Simon]

A 25 year old what? 

[dujas]

And another one bites the dust

A US student has been ordered to pay $675,000 (£404,000) to four record labels for breaking copyright laws after sharing music online.

[Rik]

American damages really are unrealistic in cases like this. To think that they're set by a jury of his peers. 

[dujas]

Well it seems to be how the American legal system works; take a plea bargain before it gets to court and you usually receive a significantly reduced sentence and/or fine. If you refuse and push it to a trial but lose your case, then you have to expect a much more severe punishment.

[Rik]

It seems to be creeping in over here.

[john]

American damages really are unrealistic in cases like this. To think that they're set by a jury of his peers. 

I can only imagine that most of the jury work or are getting a cut from the record companies.

[Gary]

The sentence is really over the top but no two ways about it the guy is a thief, if you break a law even one that you think is unfair becuase the industry makes enough in your eyes, you still have stolen and then fenced off goods, plain and simple. If you can afford a pc and the internet you can afford to buy your music.

[Rik]

I don't dispute the basic argument, Gary, but I do think a little Gilbert and Sullivan needs to be applied.

[Simon]

How do they ever hope to get anything like that sort of amount out of a student?   

[Rik]

How come he doesn't seem too unhappy?

[Gary]

I don't dispute the basic argument, Gary, but I do think a little Gilbert and Sullivan needs to be applied.

No I agree Rik, slamming people to make examples is not the way to do it, the last poor womean who got fined that ridiculous amount will never pay it off and this guy, I guess it will ruin his life as he will never pay it off and thats wrong, ban them from the net at home or at any given time in the future is they apply that would have more effect than a fine that is sky high and in the end will never get paid

[Gary]

How come he doesn't seem too unhappy?

$5 a month after means testing maybe?

[Rik]

Possible.

[Gary]

Possible.

Of its a fine thats not really enforceable due to the fact you cannot put a guy on the streets for music sharing, so its all done with smoke and mirrors for effect?

[dujas]

He will appeal, so its not over just yet plus he got his 15 minutes of fame; "But make no mistake: JOEL FOUGHT BACK"  

[Rik]

I wonder how he affords the legal bills?

[dujas]

Pro bono for the publicity? It does appear to be mainly law students doing the work.

[Rik]

Could well be.

[Gary]

Pro bono for the publicity? It does appear to be mainly law students doing the work.

Can you imagine someone in the UK being fined that? If so how long before Max Clifford took the fight to the press for his pound of flesh

[Rik]

I think he's gone metric, Gary.

[Gary]

I think he's gone metric, Gary.

I hope that scene is never re-written to be in metric for the European unions want of regulation across nations 

[Rik]

We should do it as an exercise.

[Gary]

We should do it as an exercise.

Shylock:
Most learnèd judge, a sentence! Come prepare!

Portia:
Tarry a little, there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly are "a kilogram of flesh."