In 2007, the RIAA accused Jammie Thomas-Rasset of illegally pirating 2,000 tracks of music; only 24 of these tracks were went after by the recording companies. After the first ruling, the courts ruled that Ms. Thomas would have to pay $2 million dollars for piracy. Thomas is a mother of four on a single income and appealed the case. The judge ruling over the appeal remarked that $2 million is fines was simply a “monstrous” amount to pay for the piracy of just 24 tracks. He reduced the sentence so that Thomas would only have to pay $54,000 to the RIAA. Thomas’s legal team will seek to lower the fine even further through a request for a re-trial.

My thoughts: Wow. Really? Although I acknowledge that it was an illegal act, I feel that the initial sum of $2 million is downright outrageous. She probably would’ve never made that amount of money in her lifetime. So there you have it, folks; think twice next time you go and download free music. It could end up screwing up the rest of your life…

Source: BBC.com