Harvard professor goes after RIAA for return of $100 million

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/harvard-law-prof-helping-in-not-1-but-3-file-sharing-cases.ars
from Sins Forums

I don't really see him winning the case where he plans to argue that file-sharing is fair use.  However the third case is interesting:

Nesson is also working with Camara on a third case, this one against college student Brittany English. Camara's website, which lists the case as "pro bono," says that the lawyers "are asking the courts to declare that statutory damages like these—150,000:1—are unconstitutional and that the RIAA’s campaign to extract settlements from individuals by the threat of such unconstitutional damages is itself unlawful, enjoin the RIAA’s unlawful campaign, and order the RIAA to return the $100M+ that it obtained as a result of its unlawful campaign."
End of quote

I have to say that I didn't realize the RIAA was going after people for 150,000 time the value of what was pirated.  I knew they were seeking a lot more the value of what was pirated, but 150,000 times the value is insane.

I hope this case is won and a more reasonable limit put in place for damages.

off-topic
22,747 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Opinion-Persecution-Prohibition-Inquisition...

How far can any Laws go?

As long as anyone can find a weakness in Justice(s), they'll always be a criminal (grabbing your fair cuts, lawyers?) to exploit not only the definition or the situation but also the implication.

Tobacco companies were sued for endangering some people's health, i think fossil fuels dumped as much carbon dioxide in our atmosphere -- should ANY & ALL drivers and car owners be held responsible for poisoning my lungs?

Let me give you one more case. Of beer bottles - speeding.

 

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I hope he wins that case. The RIAA will surely colapse without its demonic source of revenue (not really but we can hope). :(

Sins of a Solar Empire II