12-year olds mother settles for $2000

[Pebbles100]

One Sued File-Sharer Settles With RIAA ... 260 To Go
09.09.2003 7:24 PM EDT

Less than 24 hours after the RIAA announced that 261 people would be slapped with lawsuits for illegally downloading music, one of them has settled.

Manhattan resident Sylvia Torres, who was sued for copyright infringement by the Recording Industry Association of America, settled with the organization for $2,000, according to an RIAA spokesperson.

Only Sylvia Torres said she wasn't the one who put more than 1,000 copyrighted songs, unlawfully obtained through Kazaa, up for grabs from the family computer's hard drive — it was her 12-year-old daughter.

"We understand now that file-sharing the music was illegal," Torres said in a statement issued by the RIAA. "You can be sure [my daughter] Brianna won't be doing it anymore."

In the press conference held Monday (September 8) to announce that the lawsuits had been filed, RIAA President Cary Sherman forecasted situations in which the recipient of the lawsuit may not necessarily be the one committing the crime. He said that the message that file-sharing was illegal and punishable would nonetheless be heard (see "RIAA Files First Round Of Lawsuits Against Subpoena Targets").

"I am sorry for what I have done," the seventh grader said in the statement. "I love music and don't want to hurt the artists I love."

The RIAA obtained Torres' name and address by issuing a subpoena to her Internet service provider, which could only surrender information on the subscriber. Often the subscriber may not be the offender, especially in the case of minors.

Torres' settlement comes in direct opposition to statements she made to New York's Daily News Monday. She told the paper she thought the lawsuit was "ridiculous" and vowed to get a lawyer to fight it.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/147...headlines=true

[Kooperman]

In a statement released by the RIAA....I got a dollar that says they didn't pay a dime. The RIAA was doing some fast fixing of a PR disaster.

[Mr. Mainstream]

i hate to say this but me thinks they got off lightly . compared to others. but 21 is understandable but 12?

[The Hunter]

Originally posted by Kooperman
In a statement released by the RIAA....I got a dollar that says they didn't pay a dime. The RIAA was doing some fast fixing of a PR disaster.

i wont take that bet, as i think you are right on the money.

[Ken17625]

The whole article sounds very odd...............almost as though every statement was rehearsed..................oh wait, it is.

[Wolfie]

Considering that the source of the news is the mtv website (the RIAA's undisputed b*tch), I'm not totally convinced.

[rainbowdemon]

Originally posted by Kooperman
In a statement released by the RIAA....I got a dollar that says they didn't pay a dime. The RIAA was doing some fast fixing of a PR disaster.

How does that fix anything. Didn't the article say that they lived in public housing? That sounds like they might be low-income. Now I have nothing against this. But
"settling" for that kind of money with people that most likely don't have it? Sounds like more of a disaster.

[Omyn]

Only that much huh, looks like for every innocent person who gives you bad PR that person gets a 85% discount on all legal fees.

Breaks out the coupon book.

[FutureIverson]

good post, yeah i think there was some deals on both sides. I wanted to collect money to help the poor family fight the riaa. Sold their souls to the devil

[Kooperman]

Originally posted by rainbowdemon
How does that fix anything. Didn't the article say that they lived in public housing? That sounds like they might be low-income. Now I have nothing against this. But
"settling" for that kind of money with people that most likely don't have it? Sounds like more of a disaster.

They have to say they got a settlement....if they just let that one go free they'd have to let them ALL go for nothing.

[Pebbles100]

I'm glad I got you guys' feedback...this article seemed really strange to me. But then again, I read into things too much sometimes :)

[Omyn]

Some people should get a website together and have people donate money to people like this 12 yr old girl or old man to fight the riaa or pay off the legal fees.

All expenses would go to RIAA victims, i dont know tell me what you think i dont know if it has been posted somewhere before.

Almost like the 9/11 relief fund..

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Here's AOL members' take:

Do you equate downloading illegally with shoplifting a CD?

85% No 93,345
15% Yes 16,377
Total votes: 109,722

What would most effectively curb music piracy?

53% Lower CD prices 58,810
34% Nothing, it's too late 37,841
7% Better pay services 7,706
6% Threat of prosecution 6,933
Total votes: 111,290

I happened to vote with the majority.

[Wolfie]

Originally posted by rainbowdemon
Now I have nothing against this. But
"settling" for that kind of money with people that most likely don't have it? Sounds like more of a disaster.

I hate to admit it but it could have have been worst for them. A larger sum would have put them in debt to next ten years or so. Also I'm sure they would not ask for 2000 in one payment consider how the poor the family is. I'm sure some sort of payment plan has been worked out (assuming the whole story is not BS to begin with).

However you look at it though it still sounds like dog and pony show to benefit RIAA's public image.

[IshareManyFilez]

Nice poll. Thats very intresting to see so many exclusive aol members vote no on that. Considering most aol users are 56kers, and many record companies are affiliated with aol time warner.