Woman fined 1.5 million dollars for downloading 24 songs

It’s finally happened, the labels have won their day in court and one poor woman, Jamie Thomas-Rasset has been ordered by a US court to pay US$1.5 million in damages after downloading 24 songs off KaZaA.

Having been through several trials and appeals, the offending downloads taking place in February 2005, Thomas-Rasset, who was originally ordered to pay $A219,309.18 after a guilty verdict in 2007 (the judge overturning the sum, stating it was ‘wholly disproportionate’ and oppressive, the ruling sees her convicted of copyright infringement. In the ruling she was ordered to pay $US62,500 for each of the 24 songs, a total of $US1.5 million dollars.

While US$1.5 million might seem like a lot to pay for 24 songs, the labels don’t see ti that way. In a statement The Recording Industry Association Of America has said that they are “thankful to the jury for its service in this matter and that they recognised the severity of the defendant’s misconduct… Now with three jury decisions behind us along with a clear affirmation of Ms Thomas-Rasset’s willful liability, it is our hope that she finally accepts responsibility for her actions”.



The 24 songs Thomas-Rasset downloaded were:


Aerosmith – Cryin’
Bryan Adams – Somebody


Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me


Destiny’s Child – Bills, Bills, Bills


Gloria Estefan – Here We Are; Coming Out of the Dark; Rhythm Is Gonna Get You


Goo Goo Dolls – Iris


Green Day – Basket Case


Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle; November Rain


Janet Jackson – Let’s Wait Awhile


Journey – Faithfully; Don’t Stop Believin’
Linkin Park – One Step Closer


No Doubt – Bathwater; Hella Good; Different People


Reba McEntire – One Honest Heart


Richard Marx – Now and Forever


Sarah McLachlan – Possession; Building a Mystery


Sheryl Crow – Run Baby Run


Vanessa Williams – Save the Best for Last

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