g-smooth2k
April 24th, 2005, 01:26 AM
Source: The Inquirer (http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=22617)
Comcast in the dock
A WOMAN who was grassed up to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) by her ISP is taking the snitches to court.
Dawnell Leadbetter, from somewhere near Seattle, claims her ISP, Comcast, was not authorised to hand over her details to snoops from the RIAA who were seeking victims to stiff with big bills for sharing tunes online.
Leadbetter, a mother (sniff), was contacted by some heavies on behalf of the RIAA, who demanded $4,500 and threatened court action if she didn't hand over the dosh. They said she'd have to fork out far more if she was convicted of infringing copyright legislation.
The heavies, from a debt-collection agency named the Settlement Support Center in Washington DC, had tracked the woman down using information the RIAA had extracted from Comcast.
Leadbetter's lawyer says Comcast had no court authorisation to dish the dirt on her to a third party. "Comcast should respect the rights of privacy who pay them monthly bills," lawyer Lory Lybeck asserted.
Comcast is keeping schtumm on the move, while it seeks legal counsel.
Comcast in the dock
A WOMAN who was grassed up to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) by her ISP is taking the snitches to court.
Dawnell Leadbetter, from somewhere near Seattle, claims her ISP, Comcast, was not authorised to hand over her details to snoops from the RIAA who were seeking victims to stiff with big bills for sharing tunes online.
Leadbetter, a mother (sniff), was contacted by some heavies on behalf of the RIAA, who demanded $4,500 and threatened court action if she didn't hand over the dosh. They said she'd have to fork out far more if she was convicted of infringing copyright legislation.
The heavies, from a debt-collection agency named the Settlement Support Center in Washington DC, had tracked the woman down using information the RIAA had extracted from Comcast.
Leadbetter's lawyer says Comcast had no court authorisation to dish the dirt on her to a third party. "Comcast should respect the rights of privacy who pay them monthly bills," lawyer Lory Lybeck asserted.
Comcast is keeping schtumm on the move, while it seeks legal counsel.