RIAA sues man w/o computer

**efc** · December 4th, 2003, 03:42 AM

Music Industry Targets Even Computer-Less
Wed Dec 3, 6:15 PM ET

By TED BRIDIS, AP Technology Writer

WASHINGTON - The recording industry has filed 41 more lawsuits against computer users in at least 11 states it said were caught illegally distributing songs over the Internet, continuing its aggressive campaign against online music piracy.

The latest copyright suits this week bring to 382 filed since the Washington-based Recording Industry Association of America (news - web sites) announced its legal campaign nearly six months ago.

The group's president, Cary Sherman, said the group has no plans to cut back, even as media coverage over the continuing lawsuits wanes.

"People who engage in illegal file-sharing should be aware, whether or not they hear about it this month, that doesn't mean the enforcement program has been reduced in any way," Sherman said. "If anything it will be increased."

The recording industry is monitoring popular Internet services where computer users can download song files, searching for people illegally distributing the largest music collections. Court-issued subpoenas compel Internet providers to identify their customers linked to the online accounts used to download songs.

Among the RIAA's recent targets is retiree Ernest Brenot, 79, of Ridgefield, Wash., who wrote in a handwritten note to a federal judge that he does not own a computer nor can he operate one.

Brenot was accused of illegally offering for download 774 songs by artists including Vanilla Ice, U2, Creed, Linkin Park and Guns N' Roses.

Brenot's wife, Dorothy, said she and her husband were stunned by the claims, offended at the suggestion they listened to such music. Brenot was targeted in the previous round of 80 suits the recording organization filed late in October.

Brenot and her husband said their son-in-law briefly added Internet service to their own cable television account while living with the couple because Comcast Cable Communications Inc. said it would add a surcharge to send separate bills to the same mailing address.

"There's a mistake in this case," Dorothy Brenot said. "We're innocent in all of this, but I don't know how we're going to prove it."

The 41 most recent suits were filed against Internet users in Massachusetts, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois and Washington.

The recording industry also said Wednesday that it has reached financial settlements against at least 220 computer users. Defense lawyers familiar with some of the cases have said penalties ranged from $2,500 to $7,500 each.

**Big Booger** · December 4th, 2003, 05:04 AM

Surely they can prove that they don't own a PC and don't have an internet connection?

I want to know how the RIAA got the guys Name and address if they don't have an internet connection?

**egghead** · December 4th, 2003, 05:29 AM

RIAA sues man in Microsoft toilet.

j/k

egghead

**zipp51** · December 4th, 2003, 07:12 AM

RIAA sues Sherman for downloading old Nazi propaganda songs."It's legal",said Sherman," I got permission from a guy in Brazil so there". j/k

**tons of fun** · December 4th, 2003, 20:56 PM

The R.I.A.A. sickens me.......... ........this is too funny!!!!!!!

**cash_site** · December 5th, 2003, 02:43 AM

next we'll be sued for watching MTV and copyrighted music vids

**Cokedawg99** · February 17th, 2005, 17:38 PM

I need help.... we are being sued for downloading music illegally off of imesh.... we recieved a supena and now they say we have to settle for a large amout in 90 days that we cannot pay for... what do we do.. someone please help!

**efc** · February 17th, 2005, 18:00 PM

Get a lawyer. Now!!!!!

This is the time you need one of those slimy, bottom feeding creatures working for you.

When it is all over, come back and tell us what happened.

**Cokedawg99** · February 17th, 2005, 18:06 PM

That is the problem.... we can't afford one... we can barely afford rent.... we have 90 days to pay them or else they will continue the suit... what will happen? i've been reading on the net about their supenas not being legal.. is that true?

**FastGame** · February 17th, 2005, 18:34 PM

Well if your really guilty then you have two choices...

1. Agree to the RIAA 90 day settlement.

2. Get a Lawyer and fight it and hope for the best.

If your not guilty you have three choices....

1. Succumb to RIAA extortion.

2. Get a Lawyer and fight for your rights.

3. Apply for a job making Pepsi commercials.

In this 90 day thing will they let you make payments ? if they will I know how you can stick it to them legally

this plan will also work if you go to court and lose

Isn't there some Anti-RIAA Legal support group somewhere ?

**efc** · February 17th, 2005, 18:43 PM

The RIAA has made a lot of mistakes with supenas, however they have collected most of what they have sought in damages. The law is in their favor. We hate the way they prey on the weak. The law is on their side and they win consistently.

As far as not being able to pay for a lawyer, you have no choice. It is going to cost you big money, no matter what you choose to do. You either pay up or make a fight of it. A lawyer is the only one that can tell you if you have a chance at fighting.

Most lawyers will give you a free meeting to determine whether you have a case. Call around for an appointment. Don't ignore the supena and good luck.

**Cokedawg99** · February 17th, 2005, 19:16 PM

No it has to be paid in full.... if they take me to court wouldn't it cost them more money than what they would get from me? Thanks for the help guys it really means alot

**FastGame** · February 17th, 2005, 19:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cokedawg99

if they take me to court wouldn't it cost them more money than what they would get from me?

I don't know for sure but I think they also sue you for court cost & legal fee's.

**cash_site** · February 17th, 2005, 23:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cokedawg99

That is the problem.... we can't afford one... we can barely afford rent....

No saying its true or not... but you can afford the high-speed internet connection with a good enough computer with loads of HD space??

If it is true, might be time to sell computer, pay bills and just listen to radio. sorry dude, it must be a nightmare...

do a search for the anti-RIAA Help forum... Im sure someone can help.

**fatalfury** · February 18th, 2005, 04:25 AM

how many songs are we talking about here that you have on your computer? can you find some friends to loan you all those cds?

December 4th, 2003, 03:42 AM	#1
efc Titanium Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 2,267	RIAA sues man w/o computer Music Industry Targets Even Computer-Less Wed Dec 3, 6:15 PM ET By TED BRIDIS, AP Technology Writer WASHINGTON - The recording industry has filed 41 more lawsuits against computer users in at least 11 states it said were caught illegally distributing songs over the Internet, continuing its aggressive campaign against online music piracy. The latest copyright suits this week bring to 382 filed since the Washington-based Recording Industry Association of America (news - web sites) announced its legal campaign nearly six months ago. The group's president, Cary Sherman, said the group has no plans to cut back, even as media coverage over the continuing lawsuits wanes. "People who engage in illegal file-sharing should be aware, whether or not they hear about it this month, that doesn't mean the enforcement program has been reduced in any way," Sherman said. "If anything it will be increased." The recording industry is monitoring popular Internet services where computer users can download song files, searching for people illegally distributing the largest music collections. Court-issued subpoenas compel Internet providers to identify their customers linked to the online accounts used to download songs. Among the RIAA's recent targets is retiree Ernest Brenot, 79, of Ridgefield, Wash., who wrote in a handwritten note to a federal judge that he does not own a computer nor can he operate one. Brenot was accused of illegally offering for download 774 songs by artists including Vanilla Ice, U2, Creed, Linkin Park and Guns N' Roses. Brenot's wife, Dorothy, said she and her husband were stunned by the claims, offended at the suggestion they listened to such music. Brenot was targeted in the previous round of 80 suits the recording organization filed late in October. Brenot and her husband said their son-in-law briefly added Internet service to their own cable television account while living with the couple because Comcast Cable Communications Inc. said it would add a surcharge to send separate bills to the same mailing address. "There's a mistake in this case," Dorothy Brenot said. "We're innocent in all of this, but I don't know how we're going to prove it." The 41 most recent suits were filed against Internet users in Massachusetts, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois and Washington. The recording industry also said Wednesday that it has reached financial settlements against at least 220 computer users. Defense lawyers familiar with some of the cases have said penalties ranged from $2,500 to $7,500 each. __________________ Linux Mint

December 4th, 2003, 05:04 AM	#2
Big Booger Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: JAPAN Posts: 11,045	Surely they can prove that they don't own a PC and don't have an internet connection? I want to know how the RIAA got the guys Name and address if they don't have an internet connection? __________________ Map yourself with TZ Frappr \| Booger's Blog

December 4th, 2003, 05:29 AM	#3
egghead Precision Processor Super Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: In Your Monitor Posts: 3,579	RIAA sues man in Microsoft toilet. j/k egghead __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------

December 4th, 2003, 07:12 AM	#4
zipp51 Near Life Experienced TZ Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,122	RIAA sues Sherman for downloading old Nazi propaganda songs."It's legal",said Sherman," I got permission from a guy in Brazil so there". j/k __________________ The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. TheseAreMyComputers

December 4th, 2003, 20:56 PM	#5
tons of fun Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne,Florida Posts: 82	The R.I.A.A. sickens me.......... ........this is too funny!!!!!!! __________________

December 5th, 2003, 02:43 AM	#6
cash_site Security Intelligence TZ Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Software Paradise Posts: 3,883	next we'll be sued for watching MTV and copyrighted music vids __________________ --- 0wN3D by 3gG ---

February 17th, 2005, 17:38 PM	#7
Cokedawg99 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	I need help.... we are being sued for downloading music illegally off of imesh.... we recieved a supena and now they say we have to settle for a large amout in 90 days that we cannot pay for... what do we do.. someone please help!

February 17th, 2005, 18:00 PM	#8
efc Titanium Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 2,267	Get a lawyer. Now!!!!! This is the time you need one of those slimy, bottom feeding creatures working for you. When it is all over, come back and tell us what happened. __________________ Linux Mint

February 17th, 2005, 18:06 PM	#9
Cokedawg99 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	That is the problem.... we can't afford one... we can barely afford rent.... we have 90 days to pay them or else they will continue the suit... what will happen? i've been reading on the net about their supenas not being legal.. is that true?

February 17th, 2005, 18:34 PM	#10
FastGame Hardware guy Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Blasters worm farm Posts: 3,449	Well if your really guilty then you have two choices... 1. Agree to the RIAA 90 day settlement. 2. Get a Lawyer and fight it and hope for the best. If your not guilty you have three choices.... 1. Succumb to RIAA extortion. 2. Get a Lawyer and fight for your rights. 3. Apply for a job making Pepsi commercials. In this 90 day thing will they let you make payments ? if they will I know how you can stick it to them legally this plan will also work if you go to court and lose Isn't there some Anti-RIAA Legal support group somewhere ?

February 17th, 2005, 18:43 PM	#11
efc Titanium Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 2,267	The RIAA has made a lot of mistakes with supenas, however they have collected most of what they have sought in damages. The law is in their favor. We hate the way they prey on the weak. The law is on their side and they win consistently. As far as not being able to pay for a lawyer, you have no choice. It is going to cost you big money, no matter what you choose to do. You either pay up or make a fight of it. A lawyer is the only one that can tell you if you have a chance at fighting. Most lawyers will give you a free meeting to determine whether you have a case. Call around for an appointment. Don't ignore the supena and good luck. __________________ Linux Mint

February 17th, 2005, 19:16 PM	#12
Cokedawg99 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	No it has to be paid in full.... if they take me to court wouldn't it cost them more money than what they would get from me? Thanks for the help guys it really means alot

February 18th, 2005, 04:25 AM	#15
fatalfury Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 102	how many songs are we talking about here that you have on your computer? can you find some friends to loan you all those cds? __________________ The Walrus Bucket Saga Totally Random Pix!

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