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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.
Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsMarkJan 31st 2007 5:24PM
The RIAA is the most sick, disgusting industry on the face of the planet.
Zeno DavatzFeb 1st 2007 5:10AM
A daring mother with deep pockets. That is what everybody likes! Go for it!
tppFeb 1st 2007 12:30PM
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).
Ray BeckermanFeb 1st 2007 2:18PM
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.
Sean ChristiansenFeb 1st 2007 4:04PM
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!!!!
Sean ChristiansenFeb 1st 2007 3:59PM
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!!!!
Marc EricksonFeb 13th 2007 2:46AM
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
marFeb 13th 2007 2:47AM
A Canadian Geek http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/marcerickson/
Marc EricksonFeb 13th 2007 5:34PM
A Canadian Geek http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/marcerickson