Downloader fights back against RIAA
RIAA defendant Robert Santangelo has taken up an unusual tactic against the recording industry's lawsuit, he's sued back. Santangelo has filed counter-suit against the RIAA claiming defamation, violation of anti-trust laws, conspiricy to defraud the courts and making extortionate threats. According to The Inquirer, "Robert Santangelo and his lawyer, Jordan Glass, have raised 32 defenses against the music industry's charges. Amongst Robert's defense is the information that all the music that it was claimed he downloaded he already owned on shop bought CDs."
Robert Santangelo was 11 years old when the RIAA sued his mother in a civil action claiming copyright infringement. Mrs. Santangelo fought back, she hired a lawyer named Ray Beckerman (who has since become a well known piracy defense lawyer and maintains a popular law blog known as Recording Industry vs. The People) and eventually the case against her was dropped, at which point the RIAA sued her two children separately.
Take the jump to watch Robert's mother Patti Santangelo on several popular morning shows during the media blitz which followed the original lawsuit against her.
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Let's start with the premise itself: Groundhog Day meets Memento. The game experience revolves around 'days': you explore the world and the clock slowly ticks towards the evening. You bounce around picking up gems and talking to the denizens of 'Level Upland'. Eventually you feel tired and head back to ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark said 5:24PM on 1-31-2007
The RIAA is the most sick, disgusting industry on the face of the planet.
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Zeno Davatz said 5:10AM on 2-01-2007
A daring mother with deep pockets. That is what everybody likes! Go for it!
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tpp said 12:30PM on 2-01-2007
Technically they're not being sued for downloading, but for sharing the files.
RIAA is, of course, trying to make the downloading sound illegal, too, by talking about "illegal downloads". But in the eyes of the law, the people are being sued for sharing the files (not uploading, mind you...just sharing).
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Ray Beckerman said 2:18PM on 2-01-2007
I'm not a "piracy defense" lawyer. Piracy has a specific meaning in copyright law, and the RIAA v. consumer cases have nothing whatsoever to do with piracy.
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Sean Christiansen said 4:04PM on 2-01-2007
I know one thing about computers. Even if you are paranoid about locking down your system someone will find a way to abuse you and make a server or zombie out of you. Therefore MR GLASS I hope you get this. Start with the TROJAN or WORM defense in the future.
Since MICROSOFT has a way of leaving computers open to the public from the install, shouldn't they also be a defendant in this case? NOT everyone is a computer expert and capable of a full lockdown!!!!
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Sean Christiansen said 3:59PM on 2-01-2007
I know one thing about computers. Even if you are paranoid about locking down your system someone will find a way to abuse you and make a server or zombie out of you. Therefore MR GLASS I hope you get this. Start with the TROJAN or WORM defense in the future.
Since MICROSOFT has a way of leaving computers open to the public from the install, shouldn't they also be a defendant in this case? NOT everyone is a computer expert and capable of a full lockdown!!!!
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Marc Erickson said 2:46AM on 2-13-2007
Cary Sherman is a parrot. Notice how he doesn't respond to the interviewer's questions - only repeats the RIAA line. Someone at the RIAA must have a lot of ego invested in that idea for them to continue with a strategy that is blackening their eyes so thoroughly. I'm again ever so thankful I don't live in the U.S.
A Canadian Geek
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mar said 2:47AM on 2-13-2007
A Canadian Geek http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/marcerickson/
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Marc Erickson said 5:34PM on 2-13-2007
A Canadian Geek http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/marcerickson
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