Court Asked To Strike All MediaSentry Evidence

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "In Capitol v. Thomas, the RIAA's Minnesota case scheduled for trial on June 15th, the defendant's new attorneys have filed a motion to suppress all of the evidence procured by MediaSentry, on the ground that it was obtained in violation of state and federal criminal statutes. The defendant's brief (PDF) accuses MediaSentry of violations of the Minnesota Private Detectives Act, the federal Pen Register and Trap and Trace Devices Act, and the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986. The motion is scheduled to be argued on June 10th."

Comments

Where's the sting, oh thy sword?

[InMSWeAntitrust]

It's lovely to see that illegally obtained evidence is still illegitimate in the courts. Kinda gives you a warm feeling inside.

You can ask for the world

[initialE]

It doesn't mean you'll get it handed to you. Speculation for nerds, Wishes for Fishes.
Wake me up when the Judge files a ruling either way, that's what I call news.

Re:Illegally obtained evidence

[Sasayaki]

Let's say I'm really really offended at your post. So offended that I decide to plant a terabyte drive full of child porn in your house, then break into your house and "uncover" it. I admit to everything except planting the drive ("The guy wanted to sell me a drive full of kiddy porn, so I broke in to see if it was real so I could take my information to the police"). I face a fine/misdemeanor for burglary (or nothing and get lauded as a hero), you face at best a lengthy court battle along with the social stigma of being accused of being a pedophile, and at worst registration on the sex offenders list and possibly decades in prison.

And let's not get into what might happen to multi-billion dollar corporations who can pay any "gathered evidence illegally fine" without any trouble (even if it's millions). Do you really want a situation where any big company could send you to prison on a whim?