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Court Appoints Pro Bono Counsel For RIAA Defendant

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "In what could be a turning point in the RIAA's litigation campaign, a Michigan judge has decided to appoint pro bono counsel to represent college student Brittany Kruger, who is being sued by the RIAA in SONY BMG Music Entertainment v. Kruger. As this article points out, 'if other judges follow suit, things will change dramatically.' That is because the RIAA's entire litigation campaign is based upon economic inequality of the litigants: almost none of those sued by the RIAA can afford legal representation, and the RIAA has a huge economic incentive to fight cases to the death, while the defendants have no economic incentive greater than the 'settlement' amount, which they often pay even when entirely innocent. If the courts follow the lead of District Judge Timothy P. Greeley [PDF], and appoint pro bono legal counsel, the RIAA will no longer be able to achieve the easy pickings default judgments and 'settlements' it's routinely obtained in the past."

7 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Re:sigh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So RIAA should be suing talk radio hosts for luring people away from music! Genius.

  2. Re:Faulty assumption? by markov_chain · · Score: 4, Funny

    Of course not, he is pro Bono.

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    Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
  3. Fair's Fair by FrankDrebin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pro bono for the defense. Sonny Bono for the plaintiff.

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    Anybody want a peanut?
  4. Meh by AP31R0N · · Score: 2, Funny

    U2 is overrated.

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  5. Re:Idea by michaelhood · · Score: 3, Funny

    For some reason this reminded me of the dialogs (and the dialogue) that comes up when you discover something in the old Civilization games. I even heard it in the voice of that narrator.

  6. lawl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    She said she'll take the case pro boner.

  7. Re:Faulty assumption? by Danse · · Score: 2, Funny

    As long as they are more competent than a collage student it's a plus.

    Yeah, I wouldn't want an art major taking my case either...

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