You may remember Tanya Andersen (pictured left) as the woman who was falsely accused of illegally sharing over 1,000 songs, thus becoming the target of an unsuccessful RIAA lawsuit. According to The Oregonian, a federal magistrate has awarded her nearly $108,000 in recompense for attorney’s fees and other costs associated with her successfully fighting the lawsuit. Details, inside…

The article says,

The attorney fee award is separate from a national class action lawsuit Andersen filed against the recording industry last year.

Andersen’s legal battle with the Recording Industry Association of America has gained national attention as a case of David vs. Goliath. Her suit accuses the industry of a waging a “campaign of threat and intimidation” against her and others who have never illegally downloaded music.

“While we respectfully disagree with the magistrate judge’s decision to award extraneous fees — including on counterclaims that the defendant herself brought and dropped — it is important to note this decision is only a recommendation and falls significantly short of defendant’s requests. We will likely file an objection in short order,” said Cara Duckworth director of communications for the Recording Industry Association of America.

The recording industry has taken legal steps against thousands of people suspected of illegally downloading music since 2003.

The industry sued Andersen in 2005, but dropped the case last year after failing to turn up evidence that she illegally downloaded music.

Congratulations to Tanya. It’s nice to see that one person can not only defend herself but turn the system against bloodthirsty, big-time corporate lawyers. Hopefully decisions like these will teach the RIAA to be more careful about who they put in their cross-hairs.

Beaverton woman wins $108,000 against recording industry [The Oregonian] (Thanks to Nick!)

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