Woman illegally downloads 24 songs, fined $1.9 million

[Mr. Lennon]

Ouch


Firstly, how do you think she got caught? You would think that these people would spend more time on those that are pirating terabytes a day in software/music (probably a lot of ATOTers guilty of this).

Regardless....almost a 2 million dollar fine for $24 worth of songs? A bit harsh?

 

[Patranus]

She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

 

[jpeyton]

Suing to stop online piracy is like putting up "Do Not Enter" signs on our southern border.

Nobody cares.

Online piracy is seeing record numbers of users year after year.

Technology to protect copyrights are usually cracked before they hit the market.

The chances of RIAA collecting $1.9 million from a broke single mother? 0%.

The chances of this outrageous fine becoming a public relations nightmare for RIAA? 100%.

 

[SunSamuraix]

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

Might I start a line of inquiry as to how my post could could lead you to the conclusion that I am an idiot?

People are warned about the consequences of their behavior and the law day in and day out. Ignorance of the law or breaking it "because you feel like it" is not a valid excuse. It amazes me that people show such carelessness towards the law and other peoples intellectual property.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Clearly we should just shoot her and have done with it.

 

[Andrew1990]

The old copyright system needs to go out the door. These are modern days and we need modern laws.

The RIAA and the like pay off the right people and can do what they please. Maybe if the record companies treated their customers better than criminals, they wouldn't "loose" money on pirating.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

Might I start a line of inquiry as to how my post could could lead you to the conclusion that I am an idiot?

People are warned about the consequences of their behavior and the law day in and day out. Ignorance of the law or breaking it "because you feel like it" is not a valid excuse. It amazes me that people show such carelessness towards the law and other peoples intellectual property.

I think he may have been drawing attention to your inability to understand the concept of proportionality; however, by all means proceed with the line of inquiry.

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: Red Irish

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Clearly we should just shoot her and have done with it.

Why take this to the extreme? She was punished within the confines of the law by a jury of her peers. She had a chance to present her defense, was found guilty, and was punished. The jury could have fined her much less but chose to fine her the most amount allowed by the law. This punishment was not handed down the the RIAA and you cannot fault the RIAA from defending its intellectual property.

I really do not understand why this is such a hard concept to understand.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: Red Irish

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Clearly we should just shoot her and have done with it.

Why take this to the extreme? She was punished within the confines of the law by a jury of her peers. She had a chance to present her defense, was found guilty, and was punished. The jury could have fined her much less but chose to fine her the most amount allowed by the law. This punishment was not handed down the the RIAA and you cannot fault the RIAA from defending its intellectual property.

I really do not understand why this is such a hard concept to understand.

p-r-o-p-o-r-t-i-o-n-a-l-i-t-y o-f p-u-n-i-s-h-m-e-n-t

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: Red Irish

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: Red Irish

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Clearly we should just shoot her and have done with it.

Why take this to the extreme? She was punished within the confines of the law by a jury of her peers. She had a chance to present her defense, was found guilty, and was punished. The jury could have fined her much less but chose to fine her the most amount allowed by the law. This punishment was not handed down the the RIAA and you cannot fault the RIAA from defending its intellectual property.

I really do not understand why this is such a hard concept to understand.

p-r-o-p-o-r-t-i-o-n-a-l-i-t-y o-f p-u-n-i-s-h-m-e-n-t

Like I said before the jury could have awarded the minimum fine of $750 per song but they found that her actions warranted a higher level of punishment, a fine of $80,000 per song.

You say the punishment didn't fit the crime...the jury of her peers would say otherwise.

 

[jpeyton]

I actually think this verdict is awesome.

If the jury handed down some tiny fine (let's say $3000), we would have never heard about it, RIAA would have won their case and got their money.

But since the verdict was so extreme ($1.9 million), this is going to be all over the media outlets. This woman obviously cannot pay the fine, and RIAA will be portrayed as the big bad corporation trying to sue a single mother into oblivion.

 

[senseamp]

Good job RIAA, you got a mother of 4 for $1.9 million for 24 songs. Must be mighty proud of yourself.

 

[Patranus]

Hey, if the RIAA cant sell their product because people are stealing it, who is going to be rich and who are you going to tax for all of the social programs?

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: Patranus
Hey, if the RIAA cant sell their product because people are stealing it, who is going to be rich and who are you going to tax for all of the social programs?

We could have her hung, drawn and quartered: that'll learn her.

 

[SunSamuraix]

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

Might I start a line of inquiry as to how my post could could lead you to the conclusion that I am an idiot?

People are warned about the consequences of their behavior and the law day in and day out. Ignorance of the law or breaking it "because you feel like it" is not a valid excuse. It amazes me that people show such carelessness towards the law and other peoples intellectual property.

Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Bolded relevant parts to make this idiot-proof.

 

[cumhail]

Originally posted by: SunSamurai
Bolded relevant parts to make this idiot-proof.

Make something idiot proof, and the internet will present you with a bigger idiot.

 

[Synomenon]

She paid $.99 for each song. Why did they fine her?

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

FAIL!

"Don't do the CRIME if you can't do the TIME"

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I actually think this verdict is awesome.

If the jury handed down some tiny fine (let's say $3000), we would have never heard about it, RIAA would have won their case and got their money.

But since the verdict was so extreme ($1.9 million), this is going to be all over the media outlets. This woman obviously cannot pay the fine, and RIAA will be portrayed as the big bad corporation trying to sue a single mother into oblivion.

Good point.

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

Might I start a line of inquiry as to how my post could could lead you to the conclusion that I am an idiot?

People are warned about the consequences of their behavior and the law day in and day out. Ignorance of the law or breaking it "because you feel like it" is not a valid excuse. It amazes me that people show such carelessness towards the law and other peoples intellectual property.

Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Bolded relevant parts to make this idiot-proof.

:thumbsup:

 

[Chunkee]

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

This is bullshit. A woman steals a box of tampons from the store, class a misdemeanor..fined 2500 bux. reduced to 500, community service...dont give me that shit...most likely RIAA is sucking some major dong and lobbying to do this shit...its out of fucking control.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: SunSamurai

Originally posted by: Patranus
She knew the law, took the risk, and it didn't pay off.

Many people copy DVDs and don't think twice about the FBI warning but it is there.

The same could be said about smoking. Packs of cigarettes are clearly labeled with warnings yet people are still "surprised" when they get cancer.

Simple solution to a simple problem: DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE CRIME.

Why is this idiot allowd to post?

Might I start a line of inquiry as to how my post could could lead you to the conclusion that I am an idiot?

People are warned about the consequences of their behavior and the law day in and day out. Ignorance of the law or breaking it "because you feel like it" is not a valid excuse. It amazes me that people show such carelessness towards the law and other peoples intellectual property.

Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Bolded relevant parts to make this idiot-proof.

She wasn't fined, the RIAA was awarded $1.92M in statutory damages.

 

[StageLeft]

Everyone who pirates just laughs at these in surprise and continues.

 

[Fingolfin269]

For $15/month you can get a Zune pass, keep 10 songs, etc. I don't even see the point in stealing music anymore. (not that I really did before either...) Granted it pisses me off to know end that I may have bought the same CD 3 or 4 different ways and just want to download it instead of ripping it is just not worth the hassle dealing with this RIAA bullshit if I were to get randomly selected.

 

[Tab3076]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
For $15/month you can get a Zune pass, keep 10 songs, etc. I don't even see the point in stealing music anymore. (not that I really did before either...) Granted it pisses me off to know end that I may have bought the same CD 3 or 4 different ways and just want to download it instead of ripping it is just not worth the hassle dealing with this RIAA bullshit if I were to get randomly selected.

You will never beat the price of free, ever.

With that said, this is extremely over the top. Millions of dollars? I wonder how the hell this was argued by the RIAA.