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story category Single Mom Takes On RIAA, Gets $108,000
Industry couldn't prove her or 7-year-old pirated music....
(old news - 08:54AM Friday May 16 2008)
tags: Fileswapping · business
In 2005, single Oregon mother Tanya Andersen was sued by the RIAA for trading copyrighted files. They ultimately dropped the case for lack of evidence. In 2007 she fought back, suing (see complaint) the music industry and several of their investigative and debt collection partners for invasion of privacy, racketeering, libel and slander, deceptive business practices and "malicious prosecution." According to the Oregonian, yesterday she was awarded $108,000 for her troubles. Jon Newton of P2PNet has done a great job tracking this story over the years and has more detail here.

Related:
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  2. 67% Of Pirates Would Ignore Warning Letters
  3. Jamie Thomas Guilty -- A Song's Worth $80,000
  4. Music Industry Wants ISPs To Adhere To Nonexistent Laws
  5. Spain Shoots Down 'Three Strikes' Idea
  6. The Pirate Bay Gets Sold
  7. Pirate Bay Sale Sees Insider Trading
  8. Thomas To Appeal Huge RIAA Fines
Forums » Single Mom Takes On RIAA, Gets $108,000
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Post a:
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

Looks like the RIAA has to sign a check

Sometimes the justice does work for the little guy.

The RIAA are going to have to realize that they can be held accountable for their stupidity and they are subject to the laws already on the books.

SSX4life
Premium
join:2004-02-13

Re: Looks like the RIAA has to sign a check

I love stories like this.

Kudos to her!

johnqpublic
Premium
join:2002-03-22
Xanadu

Re: Looks like the RIAA has to sign a check

I had nothing better to do for 20 minutes....

S_engineer

join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL

Re: Looks like the RIAA has to sign a check

Thats funny.

This just means the MPAA and RIAA will have to change more laws so this doesn't happen again.
--
"Anything worth having is worth cheating for." WC Fields

R4M0N
Brazilian Soccer Ownz Joo

join:2000-10-04
Glen Allen, VA
Memorabilia buffs will recognize it.




johnqpublic
Premium
join:2002-03-22
Xanadu

Re: Looks like the RIAA has to sign a check

Funny you should post that. I just got a copy of this book the other day.

»www.winidorepress.com/books/Germ···sis.html
dougau
Premium
join:2007-08-09
Dickson, TN
It should have MPAA on the other wing

Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Aurora, CO
·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast

said by johnqpublic See Profile :

I had nothing better to do for 20 minutes....
20 minutes well spent!
CSU

join:2002-10-21
Lagrange, GA

lol.......

It's about time someone won against the Devil.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast

Re: lol.......

I thought Bush conservatives liberals FCC Comcast AT&T P2P traffic shaping protocol filtering capping corporation favoring ToS and AUP were the devil.
ackman

join:2000-10-04
Acworth, GA

Re: lol.......

There are many devils out there who work to screw the little guy and enrich the corporation.

R4M0N
Brazilian Soccer Ownz Joo

join:2000-10-04
Glen Allen, VA

Nothing like good news...

Nothing like good news to cap off a working week.

MoeDumb
I already have a Messiah.
Premium
join:2002-09-23

You go girl !

May your success be multiplied across the land

schmol

join:2001-12-26
Windsor, PA

nice

thats great, but I'm sure the lawyers took $75k of that money..

LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast


2 edits

Re: nice

said by schmol See Profile :

thats great, but I'm sure the lawyers took $75k of that money..
The lawyers got ALL of the money. She didn't win a lawsuit. The judge awarded her lawyers their costs in defending her against the RIAA lawsuit.

An Oregon federal magistrate has awarded nearly $108,000 to a Beaverton single mother who said the recording industry falsely accused her of illegally downloading music.

The money represents Tanya Andersen's attorney fees and costs in successfully fighting a lawsuit filed by the recording industry against her.

The attorney fee award is separate from a national class action lawsuit Andersen filed against the recording industry last year.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page

mgw24

@cableone.net

Re: nice

Ah, she was the plantiff dude..
SilverSurfer

join:2007-08-19

said by LiamJunket See Profile :

The lawyers got ALL of the money. She didn't win a lawsuit. The judge awarded her lawyers their costs in defending her against the RIAA lawsuit.
As well they should have. Do you work for free?

LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast

Re: nice

said by SilverSurfer See Profile :

said by LiamJunket See Profile :

The lawyers got ALL of the money. She didn't win a lawsuit. The judge awarded her lawyers their costs in defending her against the RIAA lawsuit.
As well they should have. Do you work for free?
I was just correcting the implication in the BBR summary that SHE got the money in a lawsuit she won. Which clearly wasn't the case.

And I am retired and don't work at all - except on my golf game.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS

And, the beat goes on...

Nothing like making the RIAA sit back a moment and re-evaluate. But, not to worry, they're lawyers, they will persevere through thick and thin like the pit bulls they are.

I wonder if they have any real data to support their bottom line argument. And are they blindly ignoring the reality of it?

From the article:
Lawyers working with RIAA victim Tanya Andersen have just filed their third amended complaint in what’s becoming the seminal Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony BMG case as they and their RIAA continue their mission to hunt down and sue their own customers into becoming compliant consumers. emphasis mine.

At least as far as this "customer" is concerned, they've stopped having a viable product years ago. I hope they don't attribute lost sales from me to piracy.

RIAA, listen up! Your customers want good product, unencumbered, flexibility with new technology, and reasonable price. I am not a compliant consumer, I am no longer your customer. Your dreams of play once, pay again are doomed to failure.

PoloDude
Premium,VIP
join:2006-03-29
East Northport, NY

Re: And, the beat goes on...

$108,000??! THese Mother F'ers tried to contact her 10 year old daughter at school pretending to be her Grandmother- page 16 5.43
They got a slap on the wrist.

mustang9999

@verizon.net

Re: And, the beat goes on...

said by PoloDude See Profile :

$108,000??! THese Mother F'ers tried to contact her 10 year old daughter at school pretending to be her Grandmother- page 16 5.43
They got a slap on the wrist.
I agree people have been sued for more when i burgler breaks into there house and gets hurt. Unlike most people im not supportive of huge law suites but in this case sueing the riaa for 108,000$ is like sueing me for 20$ They arent even going to feel that loss
mlundin

join:2001-03-27
Lawrence, KS
·Sunflower Broadband
·Comcast

Not enough.

If the recording industry is able and willing to recover 1000x the cost of the product supposedly infringed ($10,000 fine/violation with a $1 song), they should be held accountable for 1000x the amount they falsely sue someone for. In this case, the amount the RIAA was supposedly after was around $4,000, so I think $4,000,000 would be a pretty good starting place. $108,000 is peanuts.
vicorjh
Premium
join:2007-06-24
Arlington, MA

Re: Not enough.

I don't think they are done with the RIAA, yet. My understanding is the the RIAA has been witholding documents requested during discovery for one of their complaints. As a result, some of the complaints filed have been put onto the back burner and this ruling may just be the beginning.
Here's to hoping that they continue with their cause.
ominae

join:2003-05-11
Columbus, OH

Who says...

there's nothing positive in the news nowadays?

It's about time the mainstream media stops buying the **AA's story and finally gives the other side of the argument the exposure it needs.

Anon Y Mouse

@cox.net

Hope the **IAs rot in hell

These scumbags are being let off too easy. Will she get PUNITIVE damages running into a couple of mill at least?

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast

People Should NOT Have To Do This

Cases like these only confirm that we must have a loser-pays system for lawsuits with no merit. In addition to Ms. Andersen's legal fees and time being reimbursed by the RIAA, the RIAA should be made to pay all the court costs (outside of legal fees). Taxpayers should not be on the hook because someone decides to file a lawsuit with no merit.
--
This isn't fair! I was only supposed to hate just ONE presidential candidate!

CrazyFingers

join:2003-10-01
Columbia, MO

Good Luck

She'll probably never see a penny of that.

"We will likely file an objection in short order," said Cara Duckworth director of communications for the Recording Industry Association of America."

Imagine that.
--
Burrow owl...burrow owl...

n2jtx

join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online

Re: Good Luck

said by CrazyFingers See Profile :

She'll probably never see a penny of that.
Agreed. They'll file appeal after appeal until she is just worn down.

hopeflicker
Capitalism breeds greed
Premium
join:2003-04-03
Long Beach, CA

Re: Good Luck

our court system needs reform.
$$$ (usually) = win.

ahhh! captiolism; dont you just love it?
--
Religion does three things quite effectively: Divides people, Controls people, Deludes people.

footballdude

join:2002-08-13
Imperial, MO

Re: Good Luck

said by hopeflicker See Profile :

our court system needs reform.
$$$ (usually) = win.

ahhh! captiolism; dont you just love it?
What on earth does capitalism (which I can only assume you meant) have to do with the courts?
--
It's a trick. Get an axe. - Ash

hopeflicker
Capitalism breeds greed
Premium
join:2003-04-03
Long Beach, CA

Re: Good Luck

I wasnt talking about the courts. In this case (or rather most of these cases) corporate capitalism plays a key role in suppressing the little man.
--
Religion does three things quite effectively: Divides people, Controls people, Deludes people.

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS

said by footballdude See Profile :

What on earth does capitalism (which I can only assume you meant) have to do with the courts?
Oh. I thought he meant Capitol [Records] ism.
That's where the $$$ are.
vicorjh
Premium
join:2007-06-24
Arlington, MA
I'm certain that continuous "appeals" is part of the RIAA's "business" plan.
UofMiamiGrad
Premium
join:2001-02-03
Great Neck, NY

Read about this 3 weeks ago in BW!

Here is the article from BusinessWeek where I first read this story weeks ago. Glad she got some money from RIAA!

»www.businessweek.com/magazine/co···9954.htm
ac6bw

join:2003-11-09
San Jose, CA
·AT&T U-Verse

She should receive more....

Good for Tanya. I'm glad she prevailed in the court proceedings. After reading the complaint, though, I think she should have received a much larger award, especially considering that the complaint alleges a conspiracy between RIAA and MediaSentry, that essentially violates RICO statutes. That's pretty serious stuff.

LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast

Re: She should receive more....

said by ac6bw See Profile :

Good for Tanya. I'm glad she prevailed in the court proceedings. After reading the complaint, though, I think she should have received a much larger award, especially considering that the complaint alleges a conspiracy between RIAA and MediaSentry, that essentially violates RICO statutes. That's pretty serious stuff.
The lawsuit where she is suing the RIAA is still ongoing and hasn't even been heard yet. It is still in the discovery phase. The $108,000 went to her lawyers for when they defended her from the RIAA in the RIAA lawsuit against her in a entirely different earlier case.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
ac6bw

join:2003-11-09
San Jose, CA
·AT&T U-Verse

Re: She should receive more....

said by LiamJunket See Profile :

said by ac6bw See Profile :

Good for Tanya. I'm glad she prevailed in the court proceedings. After reading the complaint, though, I think she should have received a much larger award, especially considering that the complaint alleges a conspiracy between RIAA and MediaSentry, that essentially violates RICO statutes. That's pretty serious stuff.
The lawsuit where she is suing the RIAA is still ongoing and hasn't even been heard yet. It is still in the discovery phase. The $108,000 went to her lawyers for when they defended her from the RIAA in the RIAA lawsuit against her in a entirely different earlier case.
OK, understood. Well, I hope she prevails as the plaintiff in the new suit.

evil RIAA

@verizon.net

thank god someone won

$108,000 is nothing to the organized crime of the RIAA. They have got way more money out of there illegal actions. This 108,000 is just the change in there pants pockets. But I am very happy someone stood up and won!
NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC

Re: thank god someone won

said by evil RIAA :

$108,000 is nothing to the organized crime of the RIAA.
I wonder what it would take to file a RICO complaint against the RIAA/MPAA?
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum

nipseyrussel
Nipsey Russell, yo

join:2002-02-22
Philadelphia, PA

wrong

headline needs to be changed, it isnt correct:
"Single Mom Takes On RIAA, Lawyer Gets $108,000"
SilverSurfer

join:2007-08-19

Re: wrong

said by nipseyrussel See Profile :

headline needs to be changed, it isnt correct:
"Single Mom Takes On RIAA, Lawyer Gets $108,000"
Do you work for free?

nipseyrussel
Nipsey Russell, yo

join:2002-02-22
Philadelphia, PA

Re: wrong

um, no, but i fail to see how that is relevant???
the point is that "she" wasnt awarded money so much as she was reimbursed for legal fees. Most people would see a distinction.

"The money represents Tanya Andersen's attorney fees and costs in successfully fighting a lawsuit filed by the recording industry against her. The attorney fee award is separate from a national class action lawsuit Andersen filed against the recording industry last year."

MemphisPCGuy
Senior Systems Engineer
Premium
join:2004-05-09
Memphis, TN

On the upside...

...I bet $108,000 she or her daughter NEVER download anything off the internets.
--
»www.memphispcguy.com

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:

Re: On the upside...

na they are hoping they spend all the money on cd's now so the y can recover there money.
ja2007123

join:2007-10-06

hhhh

i think its unfair what the RIAA did but people who are found guilty of sharing illegal files shouldn't be "awarded" instead
fined.

poopiepants
Whut?

join:2003-10-04
King, NC

Re: hhhh

wow excellent logic there.

tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
clubs:

Re: hhhh

heh poops..

ja, you need another cup of coffee lol

Woa there

@rr.com
Good thing you read the article.
u475700
Premium
join:2004-02-16

Sleazy tactics employed by RIAA and cohorts

I was shocked by the sleazy tactics and intimidation employed by the RIAA and cohorts that were alleged in her complaint! I can only imagine what else they might resort to just to prevail even when the evidence of any wrongdoing is clearly lacking.
Forums » Single Mom Takes On RIAA, Gets $108,000


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