AfterDawn: Tech news

RIAA sues hospitalized teen

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 02 Dec 2008 5:38 User comments (60)

RIAA sues hospitalized teen In another move that shows the RIAA has little respect for anything besides money, Pittsburgh news channel WTAE.com is reporting that Nineteen-year-old Ciara Sauro has been sued by the anti-piracy group for illegally sharing 10 songs.
Making the situation so awful is the fact that Sauro is hospitalized every week due to her pancreatitis and her need of an islet cell transplant. Her current accumulation of medical bills totals over $100,000.

WTAE says that “because she didn’t defend herself against a copyright lawsuit, a federal judge in Pittsburgh ruled she’s a music pirate, and that could cost the Sauros almost $8,000 in fines.”

Sauro herself paints a sad story. “I already have severe depression. I mean, it’s so hard to sit there and think that I have to get in trouble for something that I didn’t do. It’s not fair.”

Lisa Sauro, Ciara's mother adds: “You want to know the truth? I make $8.25 an hour. She can’t work. This child is very sick. I mean, what am I supposed to do?



“I just want them to know that I have to go through enough stress in my life with my sickness and my family, and I don’t think that they should go after people just because they want money for something that’s not even fair to us.”


RIAA, you have already sued dead women, 8-year old children, printers and 90-year grandmothers, but this is truly disgusting. This girl could possibly die as a teenager, yet you are suing her over $10 USD worth of tracks that she did not even download; just let it go.

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60 user comments

12.12.2008 17:44

How typical of the RIAA....

22.12.2008 17:49

Link: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/18160365/detail.html

Meh....you spelled "Pittsburg" wrong DVDBack23!

32.12.2008 17:58

If ya can't do the time don't commit the crime,the RIAA of the USA is sending you down biatch..lmao.kinda makes you wonder who the terrorists really are

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 02 Dec 2008 @ 6:02

42.12.2008 18:08

Congrats to the RIAA..........now after reading this I'm going to go download some music in honor of the girl.....anyone else want to join me? Lets show those jerks how publicity like this only makes people angry and more likely to download music......thanks RIAA for making my music collection grow even more.

52.12.2008 18:19
LILBUCK
Inactive

Yes Fiji5555 I too will download 10 songs right now cuase I hate the RIAA.

62.12.2008 18:33

The judicial system needs to start throwing these cases out. I swear the recording industry is made up of the greediest bastards in the world. In most cases they have very little evidence to prove the person they are sueing is the one in violation and in many cases the evidence they do have is inconclusive. Services like iTunes are posting record sales and they are just made because the CD format is on its way out and digital streaming/downloading (for music and movies) is the future. Since these old farts cannot adapt fast enough they will sue. They blame low CD sales on "pirates" and not the fact that no one wants the crappy music from certain artists or they just want the 1 or 2 songs off of an album and do not want to drop $15 for the CD when they can just download it. Now I am not condoning illegally downloading your music or movies since there are services to legally do it. I still do it the old fashioned way and get the CD because I want totally DRM free music.

Maybe for every case they lose the RIAA should pay a hefty fine for wasting the courts time. Don't they realize all they are doing is pissing off potential customers. The big shots at the RIAA can go to hell and take their 7 figure salaries with them.

72.12.2008 18:45

I wish I could send something to this girl. Maybe a few dvds filled with her favorite mp3s. God knows I have enough of them. 1500 game soundtracks from here:
Galbadia Hotel
http://gh.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/m

82.12.2008 19:37

PIGS!!!

92.12.2008 19:40

I stopped buying music from them a long time ago. If you haven't yet, this disgusting type of action is what you're supporting.

102.12.2008 19:58

Originally posted by nonoitall:
I stopped buying music from them a long time ago. If you haven't yet, this disgusting type of action is what you're supporting.
Exactly...its actions like these that show how they treat the consumers that makes people NOT want to buy music from them and forces people into pirating. The unfortunate part is I enjoy my music and if I enjoy it enough I will buy the CD. The same goes for movies. Otherwise I do without and just listen to the radio or wait for the movie to come on TV or rent it/borrow from a friend.

112.12.2008 20:29

to think that a persons life isnt as important as a couple of mp3s from artist who really have more money than they can count, shows me where every greedy money hungry suits priorities lies.

122.12.2008 20:51

bastards. this is a group led by satan.

132.12.2008 21:15

I really do think they've hit a new low now.

I'm with ya, nonoitall. I won't be buying another new CD from any group under the RIAA and it's myriad child companies for the rest of my life. If I want it, eBay's the first place I'm going to look from now on.

And if I can't find it on there for a fraction of what I'd pay for it retail, I probably don't need it anyway. Money is tight right now, after all.

142.12.2008 22:14

There are people uploading 10000's of CDs and songs, and they want to pick on some poor girl with an illness for 10 songs? WTF is wrong with these people.

153.12.2008 00:38

Quote:
WTAE says that “because she didn’t defend herself against a copyright lawsuit, a federal judge in Pittsburgh ruled she’s a music pirate, and that could cost the Sauros almost $8,000 in fines.”

you know $8,000 is a good used minigun and 1000 round of ammo.


163.12.2008 01:35
cousinkix
Inactive

Originally posted by EricCarr:
There are people uploading 10000's of CDs and songs, and they want to pick on some poor girl with an illness for 10 songs? WTF is wrong with these people.
Imagine what it would be like if the police, worried more about somebody seen smoking a fattie on the front porch, and didn't really go after the drug dealers who sell junk to the kids in your neighborhood!

When do they file a lawsuit against SONY/BMG?
This RIAA member company sells CD/DVD burners and disks to anybody who wants one. Where do they think that pirates get machines that make 6 copies of your favorite albums and movies at a time? See them on the internet for $1500.00 each!

SONY hardware and blank disks are found in many of those police raids. When does the CORRUPT RIAA/MPAA entertainment MAFIA clean up it's own house?

173.12.2008 02:03

The sad part is that there's no universal healthcare in america.

The mom makes $8.25 per hour, I wonder what kind of benefits that job comes with?

The attitude in america is you gotta pay for everything yourself. That's the RIAAs attitude here and everyone disagrees with it, but thats also the attitude towards healthcare in america.

They're gonna be paying off these $100k bills for the rest of their lives.

183.12.2008 02:35
AsianGuru
Inactive

We should start a new kind of sharing instead.Like Get a web site and make a list of your personal thing that you don't mind sharing(everbody participate), then subscriber leave a request to lend/borrow your item, and when they're done they send it to the next subscriber is on the list( like a bulletin). Request must pay shipping. Shipping shouldn't be much because it's only a cd. I know its might be stupid but at least its another idea of beating the copyright law...

193.12.2008 09:35

*sighs*

Why am i not suprised at the how low they'll stoop to attempt to make a buck.

203.12.2008 10:02

Hi all, you know what they say, "Good advertising is expensive,bad advertising is even more so"

This act just may cause sentiments to shift against the riaa in the end.

Just my thoughts.


Jo

213.12.2008 10:28

Originally posted by Fiji5555:
Congrats to the RIAA..........now after reading this I'm going to go download some music in honor of the girl.....anyone else want to join me? Lets show those jerks how publicity like this only makes people angry and more likely to download music......thanks RIAA for making my music collection grow even more.

Just torrented the entire Metallica discography in FLAC.

Poor girl...

223.12.2008 13:30
Craftybox
Inactive

DW.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 03 Dec 2008 @ 1:34

233.12.2008 13:49

omfg the #ankers

243.12.2008 15:29

The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

253.12.2008 15:42

The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

P.S.
The mother is not legally involved in this case. The 19 year is an adult, and her parents are not liable for her debts. So, it doesn't matter if the mother makes $8 an hour, or $80 and hour.

263.12.2008 16:19

Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

P.S.
The mother is not legally involved in this case. The 19 year is an adult, and her parents are not liable for her debts. So, it doesn't matter if the mother makes $8 an hour, or $80 and hour.
Neither do we know whether a consent was given to the court concerning that she was unable to attend. You can not hold a person liable if they can not testify if they are unable to due to a sickness or disease that requires hospitalization.

273.12.2008 16:30

Gotta love all of these internet lawyers!!! :D

The mother IS involved because she is the caregiver. She may not be legally involved but any action against the daugheter will adversly affect her.
Also, she may even be the facilitator. In other words, the computer may be owned/controlled by the mother, it may be in the house owned by the mother. There are any number of reasons that this lawsuit will greatly affect the mother.

Now, to the crux of the matter. The RIAA sucks, that much is clear, but what this case also makes clear is that they do not research these cases before they prosicute them. Clearly a company which sues a printer, or a dieing teenager is not checking these things out. It's RANDOM. Kind of like getting pulled over for speeding. The WHOLE WORLD is speeding and yet it was you who got pulled over... Why? RANDOM. It was your turn.
I find it hard to believe that the RIAA would specifically choose this girl just because she is sick. If anything they would avoid this type of press. They would much rather catch some college idiot sharing 10 songs than this girl.

Universal Health Care? LOLOL... I shouldn't even touch that one...
The girl is getting the help she needs... 'nuff said.

283.12.2008 18:10

The RIAA is a joke. How the hell can you sue this poor girl who obviously did not have the opportunity to represent herself at a hearing where she was accused and judgment was handed to her without her being there? She has no job, which is not by choice, no income whatsoever and even if the mom were forced to pay the debt the instilled on her, how the hell is she going to pay that under $8.25 an hour, let alone be able to pay the medical and household bills? Leeches is the best way to describe the RIAA. Even if the girl was wrong in committing the act, if she really did that is, her condition, at least IMO trumps anything these bastards can even muster up.

294.12.2008 01:40

While NONE of us know the specifics why do you make a post that does the same? See your PS at the bottom.

AND YES her parents can be responsible for her debts. Maybe you haven't been to a medical facilty lately and dealt with the paperwork and the insurance companies. If you had then you might know what I am talking about. SO therefore it most certainly does matter HOW much her mother makes.

While I do not feel terrible for those that engage in pirating for their own profit and get caught, and they should rot away in a turkish prison, I do feel for this 19 year old. ANY one of us could be accused next WITHOUT due process. How would you like to be accused, convicted, sentenced because you can't afford the mammoth legals fees to fight these a**holes. I imagine her most pressing concern would be staying alive not showing up for court to defend herself against said a**holes.

I think that's why most people here are up in arms and have been long before this young girls story came along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for your comments belong I am going to add a tag to my user name just for you and here it it:

Know your facts or insert foot!

Now if I misunderstood your post forgive me but I took it as:
too bad that your sick, die and you win, but you don't have an excuse, your dumb, and why should your parents help you. Correct me if I am wrong.



Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

P.S.
The mother is not legally involved in this case. The 19 year is an adult, and her parents are not liable for her debts. So, it doesn't matter if the mother makes $8 an hour, or $80 and hour.

304.12.2008 03:50

They're just doing their jobs I mean it's not like she didn't know "sharing" music most likely on P2P wasn't illegal. I don't think it matters if she did only 10 songs it was still breaking the law.

314.12.2008 04:46
cousinkix
Inactive

Originally posted by bomber991:
The sad part is that there's no universal healthcare in america.

The mom makes $8.25 per hour, I wonder what kind of benefits that job comes with?

The attitude in america is you gotta pay for everything yourself. That's the RIAAs attitude here and everyone disagrees with it, but thats also the attitude towards healthcare in america.

They're gonna be paying off these $100k bills for the rest of their lives.
Yes there is, if her family is what you would call poor. The state more than likely is paying for most of her medical bills. Even worse, our corrupt US Congress has it's government health care coverage. The taxpayers are footing 75 cents for every one of those thousands of $$$$$ being spent on Ted Kennedy's brain tumor surgery, even though he and his family are millionaires!

You'll see socialized medicine for everybody and European style rationing of services for the entire population, long before the RIAA is forced to clean up their own house.

Canadians routinely cross the border to see doctors in the USA; because they don't wanna wait for months in lines. American hospitals are full of wealthy foreigners. A few of them sometimes make the TV newscasts, if they have certain diseases that are considered sexy for the mass media outlets over here...

324.12.2008 10:06

What the hell is a bust-stop O_O Really...? And if you don't show up, what becomes loose?

Dude, work on your grammar and realize the terrible flaws in your argument. Hospitalization is a valid excuse. Very valid.

Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

334.12.2008 10:48
emugamer
Inactive

Quote:
Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

P.S.
The mother is not legally involved in this case. The 19 year is an adult, and her parents are not liable for her debts. So, it doesn't matter if the mother makes $8 an hour, or $80 and hour.
/multiple head shakes....huh..what? Which world do you live in? I'll make sure my spaceship doesn't land there.

Well, if you were a total jerk and didn't pay for my iPod, we would probably have other underlying issues with our friendship (I'm assuming that we are friends, since I wouldn't just lend a $250 device to an aquaintance). Regardless, you getting cancer would make me sad :(. I would drop the lawsuit, visit you on occasion with flowers and cards...even sneak in your favorite take-out food - because in the end, I can spend another $250 on a new iPod and you will be 6 feet under with maggots consuming you. I don't think that would constitute winning anything. Karma's a b*tch.

The next of kin would be responsible for her debts. If she has no children, then the Hospital will come after her mother. If the mother refuses to pay, they will sue her. They will make every effort to suck the life out of her until they get paid one way or the other.

The law is not based on common sense, or compassion for that matter. The law is seriously flawed. The music industry is sersiously flawed. Don't judge people by the letter of the law. In fact, don't judge at all. But in making comments, try to use basic reasoning. Take a step back and think: guitly or not, she is being accused of downloading $10 worth of music. How is $8,000 in fines justifiable? Obey the law all you want, but you must be as dumb as a sheep to think that's reasonable. How about this? If she's guilty, then she can pay for the songs she's being accused of downloading. Wow, what a novel idea! $10 = $10. How about instead of rounding up laywers, send a letter to the family saying "we have proof that you downloaded 10 songs, please reimburse us for those songs."

The definition of piracy needs to be drastically overhauled. She didn't have a CD production facility in her basement. She wasn't peddling burned copies on the street. Maybe her cousin installed a p2p program (maybe while she was being treated) and grabbed a few tunes. Who knows?

345.12.2008 17:19

Sorry state of affairs. Lowest of the lows.

The only way that this will ever stop is to hit them where it hurts the most. In the pocket book. Everyone has just got to stop buying any type of music or movies for a term and they will get the message. Can you imagine if everyone was to not buy or download legally or rent a cd or dvd or ringtone or buy a concert or movie ticket for the month of January world wide. This crap would eventually stop when the cash does. Maybe they should take a look at the automotive business model at present.

January Keep Your Cash- Watch Them Crash- Spend time with your mate.

Some of the saved cashed could be donated to the family of the young child being harassed!

355.12.2008 21:15

The Riaa's main source of income is obviousley sueing people.

368.12.2008 12:32

I, personally, have not bought a single piece of music about 5 years. I have bought used CDs, just a few and used LPs. Of course there is a vast supply of CDs from freinds available on their hard drives that require no internet to get. So, screw the RIAA. I plan to continue MY boycott.

378.12.2008 12:51

Well, sorry to hear this. It is unfortunate. Since I have not heard of one of these in so long I assumed they had stopped the harvesting of the slow movers after hitting that one snag. I guess hauling persons in is not news anymore.

Although, she was charged with 10 tunes she was probably doing much more than that. The media mafia will get enough blood for 10 tunes. Being hammered for 10 tunes is more ominous than sharing 100s of tunes 24/7 for months because you are too stupid to remove the files or turn it off after you are done. I don’t know the facts either but I bet I am closer to the mark than 10 tunes.

This was a bad PR move but then I suspect that is what they want to project a merciless ‘Jaws’.

I checked out the story. They are not all that sure what house was down loading the music. I was down loaded under the father's account which may have been moved to a different location.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 08 Dec 2008 @ 1:03

388.12.2008 13:03

Just because its "legal" doesnt mean its "moral".

Even if the girl did download, or share 10 songs a $8,000.00 judgement against her is not right, just or fair, and anyone can see that. Hell, a judgement of 800% the value of the songs isn't fair to anyone, regardless of their health or wealth.

398.12.2008 13:17

anyone remember TBP and the autopsy reports of those children, same thing different playing field.

408.12.2008 14:03

I read this story on p2p consortium. I just got a 1TB Hard Drive Sunday and I'm on BT Downloading entire discogrophy's of Steve Winwood, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Roger Taylor (formally of Queen), Steve Miller Band, Styx, Procol Harum, The Babys, Peter Frampton,Yes,Genesis and a whole lot more. Voodoohippie Radio on Streamerp2p will be one of the Best damn Progressive Rock stations you've ever heard. No repeats and teaching the masses how to re discover an era where Rock music meant something. I'm off line for now because I'm trying to get as much stuff as I can to share with the musically deprived adults for many years. I even announce the Artist/Song/Album it was played from so real musicians can get the credit. Great thing is I play the song till it ends and sometimes programs like Replay Music will allow you to rip some of the music I stream. So one won't have to Download a damn thing. All you need do is call my Rock line and request something and if I have it you may hear it on Voodoohippie(Progressive Rock/Metal). If everyone goes to Walmart.com and buys the Western Digital essentials Mybook 1TB ext drive you can Download all you want and share it. Plus it portable you can go to a friends house and plug it in to their computer and share what you have and snag more tunes at the drop of a hat. You can get the drive really cheap now so go to the site and buy one. Lets teach these bastards a lesson they'll never ever forget.

418.12.2008 18:14

I'be been curious about Blues music so I just downloaded three Buddy Guy CD's. While I was there, and even though I can't stand her. I downloaded some Britany Spears because it's poplular. It doesn't end there. Wanted and Dark Night, here I come. I was going to wait for Blu Ray but what the heck.

FU RIAA, you are the lowest scum of the earth!

428.12.2008 18:20

OMFG...

$8K for 10 songs that the RIAA probably can't prove that she 'really' did.

After reading all the previous posts I have come to the conclusion that several of you folks have forgotten about a small quotation, down on the bottom of some obscure legal document that states something to the effect of, "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse..."

I personally believe that line to be Bullsh1t as well. I don't have to be an engineer of automobile physics to drive a car, so why do I have to be a lawyer (of another multitude of subjects) in order to legally walk the streets?

Its just plain, old fashioned, unadulterated greed folks. There are far too many lazy focks out there that want something for nothing.

If the general public really KNEW the legal rights YOU have as a US citizen (sorry about you folks in other countries, I don't know your rules) you would know that "sharing" is not illegal. Only when you make a profit off of the content do you get in trouble.

What the RIAA Nazis' want to do is now surround the "profit" tangent to include your friends. I.e., if I 'share' this with you, then you'll be my friend.

Obviously, they can't make money off of that kind of transaction, so they make some sh1t up and because the judge won't question it and you (the consumer) are not educated in the 'law' won't know that you can argue it, you have to pay.

I'm telling you, the 21st century is about to see a revolution that emulates the revolts of France and other oppressed nations that were based and grossly separated by class.

People are really tired of these rich snobs looking down at us like they 'know' than the rest. When facts are, they just know how to cheat and steal better than the honest folks.

You know why a rich focker has all that money and wealth? Because he did the cheating and stealing first and THEN made a rule that you can't do (write in your own action verb) without fear of prosecution (i.e., put more money in his greedy pocket)...

438.12.2008 18:24

This is par for the course at RIAA. Sue everyone and everything and damn the morality and ethics.

This girl if she survives will be paying prolly over a million dollars easily for her healthcare. Can't the relatives of the family sue the RIAA when (or if) she dies or if her mom dies because I would think the RIAA would be directly responsible for the death. whether they (RIAA) knew she was in the hospital or not, They should be nailed for negligence causing death and be sued til they disappear! (Seeing all these frivolous lawsuits are rampant in corporate America)

just my 2 cents.

448.12.2008 18:50

I think most reasonable minded people have always been aghast at the policy of going after young people doing what we all did when we were young - if any of you ever taped music and gave a copy to a friend then you are as guilty as this girl - probably more so because using P2P as I understand it the downloading goes on in the background from the directories you download to - lots of people who are not computer literate dont understand this - now when you handed over that cassette recording to your friend then you knew exactly what you are doing.

I would support the industry in going after people who pirate and mass produce copies for profit but not ordinary kids - I doubt this poor girl could even afford to buy music - why shouldnt she have the same as those fortunate enough to have money and good health. What about all the kids that burn copies of CDs which are virtually untracable - it has to end somewhere.

The music industry needs to sit up and realise that consumers are fed up with these multi million pound conpanies winging about losing a few dollars here and there. I would guess that less than 10% of all downloads account for lost sales. I joined many people here in boycotting CD's DVD's and any other recorded media that I couldnt listen to legally free of charge - and frankly I havent missed it much.

I would suggest that we stage a mass boycott of buying music and films between now and Christmas - just to demonstrate what "loss of sales really means"

They and anyone who pursues claims for petty amounts against sick and disabled and other disadvantaged people are just a plain sick symptom of this capalist mess we live in where profit is more important than people!

We need laws to protect us but those laws should always be flexible enough to deal with reality - or are we to return to hanging starving 12 year olds who steal bread to survive (its only about 200 years or less since that sort of thing actually happened!)

458.12.2008 19:05

This is pretty bad. Maybe we should start a petition and gather signatures to send to the RIAA to tell them that we, the consumers, disapprove of their tactics...

We really need to start a netroots/grassroots coalition to fight this menace. Wanna help set something like that up, AfterDawn??? :)


~Maitland

469.12.2008 00:06

nah, petition are useless need a netbomb, and bundle of virus's to finish the job.

beside's swine like them,only change there minds at gunpoint.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 09 Dec 2008 @ 12:08

479.12.2008 17:29
jimpeters
Inactive

Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)

If you can't make it to the trial, you have to inform the court. If simply you don't show-up, you loose. Sorry, that's the law, and it's common sense too!

Quote:
...tracks that she did not even download;
How do we know that??? You know, some people do actually download illegally, and sometimes they deny it!

4810.12.2008 04:38

Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)


Sorry, but you can't sue someone for losing an iPod that you agreed to let them borrow and they lost. Unless you write up a contract sayin if they lose it or damage it they have to buy you a new one, and they sign it.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 10 Dec 2008 @ 4:40

4910.12.2008 08:05
emugamer
Inactive

Quote:
Quote:
The following is NOT and endorsement of the RIAA!

Back in the real world...

Sorry, but being in the hospital doesn't protect you from law suits. Let's say I borrow your iPod, and I carelessly leave it on a bust-stop bench... And I'm a jerk, so I refuse to pay for it. You can sue me, and If I end up in the hospital with cancer, maybe you'll feel sorry for me and drop the case. But legally, you don't have to. If I can delay the case long enough, and die before we get to trial, I win! ;)


Sorry, but you can't sue someone for losing an iPod that you agreed to let them borrow and they lost. Unless you write up a contract sayin if they lose it or damage it they have to buy you a new one, and they sign it.
Small claims court. I believe there is a certain $$$ amount that emcompasses small claims like that. But you are correct in that it would be ridiculous to sue.

5010.12.2008 23:57

I have been purchasing music sense I was 11 years old I am currently 47 years old. Sense the the RAA started with there crap, I stop purchasing music and movies and I use to download music from p2p networks and share my full collections witch covered from classical to jazz pop rock new age well to make it short, I use to by on the average 5 Cd's 3 DVD's per month at least and that was on the wurst month, when there where not that many LP or tape 8 tracks or real to real well like I said since I was 11, to give you and idea I have a collection of 3987 L p's that covers 45/78 and L p's real to real 328 cassettes 428 and well in CD/DVD's at last count there was 3794 of then well like said I like Music to make and example I have dark side of the moon in CD cassettes tape and real to real, I love music and good movies, that was the way that I use to share with friend's and family by giving then what they most like movies and music, I have collected music that covers from 1938 till 2001A.D. When I stopped purchasing, both music and movies HO I for got 300 beta max and 914 BHS tapes that I all ready converted to digital format on PC. I have gone as far purchasing music from Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Austria, well on and on the most expensive CD that I purchased was from Japan after I had downloaded from a P2P share site and I payed $120.00 just to get that music, do I regret it no I was turn on it by the pear to pear network not by the RAA.
I figure I cost Columbia house virgin, RCA, time life, fox time warner and so on and on well at least just on the kids movies in a years time $1598.00 in music well I use to pay in a years time for me and friends family $1298.00,. the was a time that I would do any thing to get or give in music and movie not any more you do the math, was I that much of a risk or a pirate,,, who lost,,, me or them,,, well they lost me as a customer till the time that they stop this crap,,,
I got nothing Against the music and movie industry, just do not like greedy C.E.O.S and low life lawyers.

5112.12.2008 15:14

Certain crimes seem to get more hysterical attention in the courts than others. Rip a thousand folks out of their life savings and you'll get a few years in a ritzy jail, out early ready to set up with your business contacts again.

Whether you may think it's more than 10 songs ... 10 songs is what she is being charged with. For the past few decades we've recorded songs off the radio, LPs, CDs and etc. and swapped them with our friends not for profit. NOW it's $800 per song...

Regardless of whether she's ill, the courts are sick for hitting her with that outrageous amount, what an utter travesty of law, what kowtowing bullshit.

5224.12.2008 13:20

A lawyer is a lawyer is a lawyer...no matter what clothes they wear. RIAA has lawyers. The prosecutor is a lawyer. The judge is a lawyer. The defense is a lawyer. Many times, after trying to destroy each other in court, they will meet and have lunch or dinner together. It has always amazed me how a known sleaze ball, low life lawyer with political ties and that most people despise suddenly becomes a respected pillar of society when his political buddies appoint him/her to as a judge. The same goes for a district attorney being voted to that office.

In northern California, a policeman, while driving drunk, hit and killed a 13 year old kid then left the accident scene. In other words, a cop was a drunk, hit and run driver. In this locale, that would get most people around 16 years [sometimes 25 years if it goes to a manslaughter charge..] in prison and many times, an additional substantial fine plus a possible wrongful death lawsuit. In this case, there was originally five felony counts against the policeman, [ who was not held in jail, was put on administrative leave, and still was paid his police salary..] The district attorney, with the judge's agreement, dropped four of the five felony charges and lowered the fifth to a 'high misdemeanor' [what ever that is ???] and made a plea deal of guilty without malice to four years in lockup. He can be out in 6 to 9 months and back on the police force because a policeman can still be a policeman if there is no felony on his record....

What has this got to do with RIAA lawsuits... The lawyers.... They are all the same no matter what their position or what cases they are involved in... By the way, the majority of politicians are also lawyers, which should explain why things are so messed up everywhere.....

5324.12.2008 18:49

@dufas

One need look no further than Senator Ted Kennedy who after partying let Mary Jo Kopeckne drown in an overturned car. Reported the accident the next day. He never served a minute. Still revered in the Senate today-but his time is coming and his 15 min of fame are near an end.

5425.12.2008 16:22

Originally posted by garmoon:
@dufas

One need look no further than Senator Ted Kennedy who after partying let Mary Jo Kopeckne drown in an overturned car. Reported the accident the next day. He never served a minute. Still revered in the Senate today-but his time is coming and his 15 min of fame are near an end.
You can add Senator Byrd to that list. He is a card carrying leader in the Ku Klux Klan. To this day he'll use the 'N' word and no matter how angry he makes the citizenry, his fellow Senators protect him and he still buys enough votes with tax monies to get voted in again and again and again. Barney Frank, comedian turned politician, is another that will screw the country for his own gain...too many lawyer friends....

5527.12.2008 05:08

I have search this and found that the only one that is defended is the lawyers, by the lawyers.
Is to kill all the lawyers and the world would be a better place, and it is true it would be, like William Shakespeare has quoted in so many of his work's. And lawyers all ways defend there position they are justed and represent that say they are justed but only for one side there pockets. It is all ways the same the only one that matters, is how or who can pay more, or how can they blame for there justification, and that is the law it has nothing to do with being just or to justifiable by what is right, that is what they call loophole, make it work in there behalf, that is all that matters not Justice.
Did you know that a lawyer can not be sued, because no lawyer will take any of those cases. It would not be prudent, no not at all, is that right!!!.
you can look at it yes the line is told by a crook, but it would be better if you where represented by your peers not by a lawyer, that is what they tell us, if you want a jury, or judge, what they do not tell that the words are or the phases, are to misleading for there be half, or how many times they tell you to disregard some testimony, I know, I served in a jury, or there say I will rephrases the question because the other lawyer did not like the question because it was not the answer that was in there interest, or to dismiss evidence for there behalf. So who are the crooks, an who are the bad ones.
Just look at this link http://www.spectacle.org/797/finkel.html , an see how it is all twisted in one way or another, for the lawyers are Ur heroes.
If there where justice in the world. we would not use those crooks called lawyers.

562.1.2009 16:07

Horrible.

572.1.2009 19:04

Originally posted by omar3333:
Horrible.

Agree.

582.1.2009 19:58

Originally posted by bryston:
Originally posted by omar3333:
Horrible.

Agree.

Make that 3

5910.1.2009 09:00

Originally posted by lott:
I have been purchasing music sense I was 11 years old I am currently 47 years old. Sense the the RAA started with there crap, I stop purchasing music and movies and I use to download music from p2p networks and share my full collections witch covered from classical to jazz pop rock new age well to make it short, I use to by on the average 5 Cd's 3 DVD's per month at least and that was on the wurst month, when there where not that many LP or tape 8 tracks or real to real well like I said since I was 11, to give you and idea I have a collection of 3987 L p's that covers 45/78 and L p's real to real 328 cassettes 428 and well in CD/DVD's at last count there was 3794 of then well like said I like Music to make and example I have dark side of the moon in CD cassettes tape and real to real, I love music and good movies, that was the way that I use to share with friend's and family by giving then what they most like movies and music, I have collected music that covers from 1938 till 2001A.D. When I stopped purchasing, both music and movies HO I for got 300 beta max and 914 BHS tapes that I all ready converted to digital format on PC. I have gone as far purchasing music from Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Austria, well on and on the most expensive CD that I purchased was from Japan after I had downloaded from a P2P share site and I payed $120.00 just to get that music, do I regret it no I was turn on it by the pear to pear network not by the RAA.
I figure I cost Columbia house virgin, RCA, time life, fox time warner and so on and on well at least just on the kids movies in a years time $1598.00 in music well I use to pay in a years time for me and friends family $1298.00,. the was a time that I would do any thing to get or give in music and movie not any more you do the math, was I that much of a risk or a pirate,,, who lost,,, me or them,,, well they lost me as a customer till the time that they stop this crap,,,
I got nothing Against the music and movie industry, just do not like greedy C.E.O.S and low life lawyers.
I certainly hope English is not your first language, because I read your entire tirade, and it made absolutely no sense...

6010.1.2009 09:11

I think he was saying he paid his dues to those guys over the years and deserves a few freebies, or something like that lol. Not 100% sure myself.

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