Would You Settle, or Would You Fight?

**Anonymous Proxy** · September 12th, 2003, 07:11 AM

So, I'm playing the fantasy game...

If the RIAA sued me, would I settle, or would I fight?

I don't know. I'd like to fight of course, but going into it knowing I'd probably get my ass kicked in the end, would it be worth it?

The first thing I'm thinking though, is if I settled for $15,000 I could probably pay that. On the other hand if they sued me for $150,000 per song, and I had a 1,000 songs, I could never be expected to pay that. So I wouldn't.

Could I file for bankruptcy? Would that protect me? How would that effect my credit rating?

I'd like to fight the suit, and make a lot of noise doing it. Keep them in court for about twenty years. Drive the court costs up. I couldn't afford to pay those either, so I wouldn't.

Still I don't know for sure what I'd do if the subpoena ever came in the mail.

**jonnymnemonic** · September 12th, 2003, 07:32 AM

I'd go to court, without a lawyer. You see, I'm one of those stay-away-from-government people. I have no visible means of income (e.g. no paycheck to garnish), no car, nothing of value, no bank accounts, and no credit cards, nor do I want any of those things. My woman (who is not married to me, so she is safe) has everything in her name EXCEPT the ISP account. So, what can they really do to me? Financially I cannot be squeezed, so whatever damages I am assessed they have no means to collect on, and I won't pay a settlement, no matter how little it is. I don't care about bankruptcy, because I don't use or want credit, and I wouldn't pay for that either.

When you have nothing, nobody can take anything away from you. I like the feeling of freedom that gives me! ;)

**Caitlyn Marble** · September 12th, 2003, 07:36 AM

I'd fight. Since I'm a minor though, my parents would probably settle. Easily intimidated you see.

**lizardsforall** · September 12th, 2003, 08:01 AM

Think Like Henry David Thoreau...

Jail is nothing but free housing, food, and daily exercise.

The real problem occurs when you get in the same cell as a mass murderer and you tell him/her that you downloaded stuff from the web!

Hope that helps your game.

**Pebbles100** · September 12th, 2003, 08:18 AM

Nice thread! Haven't seen one yet with this topic. I would try my hardest not to settle. Either way, I would end up spending the little money I have saved on either lawyer or a settlement. I would try to hire a lawyer, and stretch it as far as it could go. *shrugs shoulders*
I read somewhere that you can't write the debt off, even through bankruptcy. I'm not 100% sure, since the info wasn't from a lawyer.

**que-em** · September 12th, 2003, 08:54 AM

The difference between me and that little girl is that I don't have 2000 dollars to give away.
The only way I could pay is if they give me a credit card to pay them with...of course after that I'll default on the payments and they will be added to my list of annoying bill collectors calling me for money I don't have.

By the way, don't record companies like any other business write off loses.

**cheapprick** · September 12th, 2003, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by jonnymnemonic
I'd go to court, without a lawyer. You see, I'm one of those stay-away-from-government people. I have no visible means of income (e.g. no paycheck to garnish), no car, nothing of value, no bank accounts, and no credit cards, nor do I want any of those things. You see, I am a drug dealer.

Sorry, I had to change that a bit. heh

I shouldn't laugh, I have no visible means of income either, it's all student loan.

It will be interesting to see if this sort of intimidation tactic will try to move north. I would refuse to setle though, both on principle and my chances.

**aqlo** · September 12th, 2003, 09:12 AM

You see, I am a drug dealer.

Great groundwork you guys. The thing that I can add (from experience) is that is unnecessary even considering paying most debts like this. If you run out on a lease or get a car repo'd or whatever then outrageous claims may be made, with various courtlike stuff, for some length of time. New collection agencies may further distort the deal, never ever pay a collection agency. If you ever do decide to pay something, say a hospital bill, even if it's 10 years later, pay the hospital whatever you can and worry about it.

Collection guys are pods with fake jobs.

**shawners** · September 12th, 2003, 09:16 AM

You can file bankruptcy. but during bankruptcy progress when you go to have it cleared, the creditors can appear and you may have to pay that. Or they could put a lien on you or judgement. So if you ever bought or sold anything you would have to settle your claim.
I would diffently after the lawsuit file bankruptcy.. but how do you handle the idea of being in prison? their asking for five years or something in prison.. Being first time offender you could get probation or something.. but the system could be as currupt and send you away long time.

**REDO** · September 12th, 2003, 09:21 AM

I would fight 'till the end. Then if I lost, I would drive my car into their headquarters....

**Redneck4sure** · September 12th, 2003, 09:22 AM

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose - Kris Kristofferson (Bobby McGee)

jonnymnemonic, I think you are real close to being free and it certainly sounds like you are what lawyers call, "judgement proof". They can't get blood out of a turnip as the saying goes.

cheapprick, I love your sense of humor!

**kuajmc** · September 12th, 2003, 09:25 AM

hmmm how about making a settlement that you'll buy those cd's you've downloaded? which means that the artists will get their cash.

Riaa get less then they'll get with their settlement option, because there is no fucking way i believe that they'll pay the artists (one has downloaded from) compensation...
as they'll probably put settlement money in their own pockets to take out more kids.

It's sounds fair or atleast say that you'll split your fine equally and want a written proof of documents that the artists got the cash and it's not in riaa's hands.

**Pebbles100** · September 12th, 2003, 09:35 AM

Shawners, that 's a good point. So if they could place leins on your property, I wonder if they withhold your tax return? Or garnish your wages? Wow - that would financially devastate alot of people. :(

**aqlo** · September 12th, 2003, 09:49 AM

No they can't pebbles, liens yes. In many states it is illegal to even imply that they can garnish, you need a custodial judge like in child support or tax evasion in order to accomplish it at all.