RIAA: Pay as we say, not as we do

Recording Ass. is sue-happy - not follow-through happy

By Austin Modine in Mountain View • Get more from this author

Posted in Law, 15th August 2007 00:12 GMT

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While the legal arm of the Recording Industry Association of America is lightning fast to attack at the slightest inkling of copyright infringement — justified or not — it appears the arm which holds the organization's billfold isn't nearly so quick on the draw.

In the case of Capitol v. Foster, where the RIAA was ordered to pay $68,585.23 in attorney fees and costs after unsuccessfully suing over copyright infringement, Deborah Foster has yet to receive payment.

Despite the judge's ruling, laid down a month ago, Deborah Foster hasn't heard back from the RIAA, much less received any money, prompting her to file a motion of judgment against the organization. The complaint was filed in the US district court of Oklahoma yesterday.

El Reg's legal hack, Burke Hansen, explains the filing: "The motion is a legal formality that allows the victor to begin collections proceedings and forces the losing party to decide whether to appeal or not."

The motion asks that Foster immediately receive post-judgment collection proceedings, including the registration of the judgment in federal court for a hearing on assets. The document goes on to say that Foster contacted the RIAA's legal counsel by email on August 11, inquiring about payment, but hasn't received a response.

Maybe they're too busy cooking up perfectly reasonable tactics to catch copyright infringers such as impersonating a 10-year-old girl's grandmother on the phone? ®

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