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Court Appoints Pro Bono Counsel For RIAA Defendant

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the level-the-playing-field dept.

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."

6 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Faulty assumption? by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This assumes the appointed pro-bono counsel is competent and interested in the welfare of his/her client, which may or may not be the case.

    --
    ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
    1. Re:Faulty assumption? by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This assumes the appointed pro-bono counsel is competent and interested in the welfare of his/her client, which may or may not be the case.

      Assuming they are competent, all I can say is that It's about time.

    2. Re:Faulty assumption? by MarkvW · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Pro bono is not the same thing as public defender.
      Public defenders are for criminal cases--this is civil.

      There are lawyers in big firms who take on cases for the public good. These lawyers have an enhanced sense of social responsibility. Pro bono is short for "pro bono publico" (for the benefit of the public).

      The pro bono lawyer will probably be skilled and ethical and not simply out to make a name for himself/herself. The defendant won't get absurd theatricals and stupid gamesmanship, but will get decent fair representation.

      That alone should be a pain for the RIAA.

       

  2. sigh... by macbeth66 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I just don't care any more. The RIAA has worn me out. I hate all music now. I never want to buy any of their crap again.

    I'll just eat the magical fruit and toot myself to death.

  3. Excellent news by JustNiz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    its great news, but doesn't fix the problem.
    I guess now all the RIAA will do is shift their efforts to people that earn too much to get Pro Bono, but still dont earn enough to be able to defend themselves against being hounded with litigation. In fact this is probably most of us.

  4. Re:Idea by DMUTPeregrine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You have just invented insurance. Congratulations.

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    Not a sentence!