Jury Slaps File Sharer With $1.5 Million Penalty Over 24 Songs

The third time was not the charm for Jamie Thomas-Rasset, who has spent the last several years wrapped up legal wranglings with the Recording Industry Association of America over 24 songs she downloaded through Kazaa back when people still used Kazaa. The latest development — a jury in her third trial has found her liable for $1.5 million ($62,500/song) in damages to Capitol Records.

Said a Cylon rep from the RIAA:

We are again thankful to the jury for its service in this matter and that they recognized the severity of the defendant’s misconduct… Now with three jury decisions behind us along with a clear affirmation of Ms. Thomas-Rasset’s willful liability, it is our hope that she finally accepts responsibility for her actions.

Earlier this year, the judge in the second trial had reduced the “monstrous and shocking” original $1.92 million judgment to only $54,000, with the RIAA willing to cut that to $25,000. Thomas-Rassett, however, rejected the offer and opted for a new trial.

This trial is not the end of the road, said Thomas-Rasset’s lawyer, “We intend to raise our constitutional challenge again before Judge Davis… The fight continues.”

Jammie Thomas hit with $1.5 million verdict [Cnet via avclub.com]

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