2008 Woodie Awards
Student fined $4,000 in illegal file-sharing bust
Tabatha Wethal
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News
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"The e-mail basically said I had 13 days to contact a lawyer or my educational records would be handed over to the [Recording Industry Association of America] and its lawyers," Wittman said.
The e-mail Wittman received on May 17 stemmed from the university's receipt of a pre-litigation letter, a part of the RIAA's latest program, enacted this year. The group's goal to quell piracy online includes targeting students on university Internet networks who illegally share music files on peer-to-peer networks such as Kazaa and LimeWire. The pre-litigation letters were the second step in the RIAA's plan, which began with its increase in the number of complaints it sends to universities.
Using the same tool that caused her the trouble, she reluctantly paid $4,000 online to settle the case out of court and avoid what the RIAA threatened: a federal lawsuit.
The special education major from Appleton became one of 405 students across the nation that received similar letters spring semester forwarded to them by university officials. According to the RIAA, each letter informed the school of a forthcoming copyright infringement lawsuit against one of its students.
Wittman said she was shocked and confused to learn the RIAA intended to sue her.
"I always thought 'it can't happen to me,'" Wittman said. "I thought the threats were just a scare tactic, but that, you know, everyone does it."
And it is those sentiments that the RIAA says have driven them to pursue such legal avenues as suing students for illegal file sharing on peer-to-peer networks.
RIAA President Cary Sherman said in an online chat in March, which was meant to explain the goals and necessity for pre-litigation letters, that college students download illegally because "students have more time than money. And because [students think] 'everyone else is doing it, why shouldn't I do it too?' As a result, more and more students are coming to think that free music is a right. We've got to change that perception."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
p2unite
posted 9/06/07 @ 1:57 AM CST
First, Miss Whitman was not FINED, a FINE is a CRIMINAL punishment and filesharing is a CIVIL matter. What she did, however, was pay an extortionate amount of money to an organisation that thrives on bullying it's customers into paying with the threat of the cost of legal action in defending themselves. (Continued…)
RSmith
posted 9/07/07 @ 4:28 PM CST
I get very irritated with people thinking that this is free property, just because you can get away with the theft. This is like walking into Walmart in the middle of the night, just because the doors are open and take what ever you can get away with. (Continued…)
p2punite
posted 9/10/07 @ 8:00 AM CST
How is it theft? If I've legitimately purchased the product why am I not allowed to do what I wish with it? If I want to share MY purchases then I shall. (Continued…)
simplicitykelly
posted 9/13/07 @ 11:36 AM CST
Although most students do download illegal music, it doesn't make it right. However, I do think it's important to support your favorite artist/band through other means; concerts, t-shirts, positive buzz, etc. (Continued…)
P2P 4ME
posted 12/14/07 @ 1:17 AM CST
so if i buy a CD can i listen to it when other people are in the room? can i lend it to a friend? I can copy a VHS and give it to my neighbor. can i copy a CD and give it to my neighbor? a DVD? the music industry is going to change in the next few years. (Continued…)
Warhawk316
posted 12/14/07 @ 2:47 AM CST
Essentially, the RIAA is playing the bully role here. "Give me a lot of money or we'll sue you" ("Give me your milk money or I'll beat you up"). While it can be argued that some people download anything and everything, regardless of laws, or even the ability / interest to view/listen to it all, I won't say that's everyone. (Continued…)
P2P 4ME
posted 12/15/07 @ 2:38 PM CST
everyone just needs to increase there downloads, they cant stop us all!
Matt Filey
posted 9/30/08 @ 2:43 PM CST
I think people should be allowed to use limewire as long as they don't sell CD's of it, because I mean youtube lets you listen to music, maybe not let you download it, but it still lets you listen to it. (Continued…)
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