US record industry wins $1.92m from file sharer

Even RIAA 'embarrassed' by $80,000 per song verdict

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 19th June 2009 08:53 GMT

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The Recording Industry Ass.of America has won $1.92m in damages against a woman accused of file sharing.

Jammie Thomas-Rasset, a mum of four from Minnesota, was found guilty of copyright infringement in respect of 24 songs downloaded from, and made available to, the Kazaa file sharing network. There was no evidence that anyone but the prosecution had actually downloaded the songs. She must pay $80,000 for each song.

In 2007 Thomas-Rasset was found guilty and told to pay $220,000. A new trial was ordered because the judge felt he mislead the jury.

Speaking outside the court Thomas-Rasset said: "There's no way they're ever going to get that. I'm a mom, limited means, so I'm not going to worry about it now.", according to AP.

Her defence argued that the RIAA had failed to prove she had actually shared music with anyone - only that her computer contained file sharing software. The RIAA hired MediaSentry which traced files to her IP address and downloaded songs from her shared directory. She used the nickname 'tereastarr' which was also her MySpace log-in.

Even the RIAA seemed a bit embarrassed at the size of the settlement - its potted statement welcomed the verdict but said it had always wished to settle the case for less cash, and was still willing to do so.

The RIAA chased thousands of people for apparently sharing music but scared most of them into settling out of court. ®

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