Tenenbaum verdict: $675K
Summary: OK the the verdict is in. Joel Tenenbaum has been assessed $675,000, or $22,500 per song, for illegally distributing 30 songs via Kazaa, Ars Technica reports.
OK the the verdict is in. Joel Tenenbaum has been assessed $675,000, or $22,500 per song, for illegally distributing 30 songs via Kazaa, Ars Technica reports.
That's not nearly as bad as I had feared, since it's within the realm of "normal" statutory damages (up to $30,000). Ironically, Jammie Thomas-Rassert was found liable for the enhanced penalties, landing her a $1.9 million verdict.
Tenenbaum's attorney, Prof. Charles Nesson, argued that they might have prevailed if a Fair Use defense had been permitted.
"We were not allowed to speak to fairness," he told Ars. "I thought we had pretty damn good arguments on Fair Use."Joel himself was most gracious.
"I'm disappointed, but not surprised, but I'm thankful that it wasn't much bigger, that it wasn't millions. That to me sends a message that [the jury] considered [my] side legitimately.
And the bottom line question. Do you regret downloading music?
That's really a loaded question. There are so many things that could have been different.
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Talkback
Answer: No, he doesn't
that the black eyes that they get from this and
the pissing off of legitimate customers is not
worth doing these court cases in the slightest.
Really though, he will just declare bankruptcy and
FZZZT.... verdict nullified.
Not dischargeable in bankruptcy
I dunno
Cruel and Unusual.
mind. In my opinion, to apply them to an average
individual with an average income is cruel and unusual.
I guess you get the best laws money can buy down there in
US-land. How about some common sense? Getting caught
with P2P should be like a speeding ticket, not, I'm
fubar'd for life.
They likely won't see a penny.
Common sense
I disagree
If the fine for parking your car in front of a hydrant was $50 - who cares, if you get caught, it's $50 ... now apply a $10,000 fine to that - would you take the risk?
Same with file sharing - if you're only going to get fined $10,000, and only if you get caught, that's not such a big deal ... but $679,000 - that makes me think twice ...
The best way to create a deterrence, is to make the penalty hurt ... a lot ... like "ruin your life" a lot ...
JMHO
Ludo
Smart moves by Tenenbaum's lawyers?
Think about it - $2M for stealing some music. Insane compared to other simple theft crimes.
P.S. I haven't bought any new music since this insanity started. Won't till it stops.
.
RIAA Destroys a man for nothing