U.S. student told to pay US$675K over downloading

[Francis2004]

BOSTON -- A U.S. federal jury on Friday ordered a Boston University graduate student who admitted illegally downloading and sharing music online to pay $675,000 to four record labels.

Joel Tenenbaum, of Providence, R.I., admitted in court that he downloaded and distributed 30 songs. The only issue for the jury to decide was how much in damages to award the record labels.

Under federal law, the recording companies were entitled to $750 to $30,000 per infringement. But the law allows as much as $150,000 per track if the jury finds the infringements were wilful. The maximum jurors could have awarded in Tenenbaum's case was $4.5 million.

Jurors ordered Tenenbaum to pay $22,500 for each incident of copyright infringement, effectively finding that his actions were wilful. The attorney for the 25-year-old student had asked the jury earlier Friday to "send a message" to the music industry by awarding only minimal damages.

CTV.ca | U.S. student told to pay US$675K over downloading

 

[AnnaG]

Don't do the crime if you don't want the fine.

 

[taxslave]

Looks like the jury sent a message all right. What are the odds of collecting though?

 

[EagleSmack]

Looks like the jury sent a message all right. What are the odds of collecting though?

I think they are pretty good. He will forever have this hanging over his head unless he does, no loans, etc.

Just pay for the music and movies and you won't have this.

 

[Nuggler]

;-).........Next refugee to Canada coming up!!!

:lol:

 

[taxslave]

I think they are pretty good. He will forever have this hanging over his head unless he does, no loans, etc.

Just pay for the music and movies and you won't have this.

Not really. Just declare bankruptcy and in about six months he can borrow some money and rebuild his credit rating. Quite simple. Thats why jury awards are often big hits in the news but you never hear about the final outcome.