Slashdot Mirror
RIAA Conceals Overturned Case
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "When a Judge agreed with the RIAA's claim that 'making available' was actionable under the Copyright Act, in Atlantic v. Howell, the RIAA was quick to bring this 'authority' to the attention of the judges in Elektra v. Barker and Warner v. Cassin. Those judges were considering the same issue. When the that decision was overturned successfully, however, they were not so quick to inform those same judges of this new development. When the defendants' lawyers found out — a week after the RIAA's lawyers learned of it — they had to notify the judges themselves . At this moment we can only speculate as to what legal authorities they cited to the judge in Duluth, Minnesota, to get him to instruct the jurors that just 'making available' was good enough."
because I'm sure the job of the plaintiffs team to do the job of the defence as well. Seriously, how is this news? The plaintiff brings information to court in support of his case, the defence brings information to court to destroy the case - there's no question of an overlap here.
The issue here isn't that the RIAA has unethical lawyers, its that the defense has crappy, undiligent lawyers. Slashdot seems to be saying "shame on the RIAA lawyers for not doing the job for both side's lawyers!" Gimme a break.
After the MN jury verdict was announced, I realized that the file sharing crowd has a lot in common with the tax protester crowd. For those that aren't aware, tax protesters have a variety of reasons why the US Income tax doesn't need to be paid: the amendment wasn't correctly ratified, wages can't be taxed, the IRS doesn't have authority, etc, etc. And They still cling to these arguments even when no court has ever ruled in their favor (it's a conspiracy, after all).
A friend of mine used to subscribe to a newsletter (bottom line or something like that). Half tha advice was dubious strategies to avoid paying income tax. The other half was advice for what to do when you're audited.
Likewise with the RIAA lawsuits. Slashdot is full of excuses and rationale why it's not a crime, how to avoid getting caught, and defense strategies in case you are hauled into court. There have been positive rulings against the RIAA, but with that $220,000 fine in Minnesota, I wonder if anyone on slashdot will consider maybe the RIAA is right. Nevermind, it's probably just a conspiracy.
Wondering if this is flamebait or troll...
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
hey slashdotters. if you're going to question the integrity of the riaa not bringing this case to light why don't you turn yourselves in for being theives and try pulling some of the its-not-theft bullshit on the courts?
it's great to see some of the common theives on here acting like they're somehow better compared to the riaa.