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Special Master Appointed In Jammie Thomas Case

Posted by Soulskill on from the judicial-patience-waning dept.

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "There has been another odd development in the Jammie Thomas-Rassett case. You may recall that after the judge reduced the RIAA's verdict from $1.92 million to $54,000 on the grounds that $54,000 was the maximum amount a jury could reasonably award, the RIAA opted for a third trial instead of allowing judgment to be entered. Its reasoning in making that call has never been clear, since there seemed little point in spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a trial which could produce no more than a judgment for $54,000 or less. Apparently the court thinks taxpayers' money could be better spent, and has appointed a 'Special Master' to bring about 'meaningful settlement discussions,' with the Master's $400-per-hour fee to be paid by the RIAA. One commentator suggests the RIAA should at this juncture just say, 'Thanks Jammie, we've had all we can get out of you and caused you enough grief — pay us $1 and we'll forget about it.' Actually doing that would be a lot less costly and more reasonable that what they appear to have in mind."

4 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. "Shake down" forthcoming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should have a meeting with the President... perhaps he could "shake down" the RIAA like he did BP?

    Achievement Unlocked: Black President.

  2. Re:Reason by Bigjeff5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, since there is no addition operator, rules of operation dictate that a multiplication operator be assumed.

    In other words, it's an ass^2hole. I'm not sure why the hole was not squared as well, perhaps these guys are not any bigger assholes than ordinary asshole lawyers, but are significantly bigger asses than ordinary asshole lawyers?

    I don't know, douchebag mathematics stretch my reasoning abilities to the limit. I'm not even sure that what I just said is douchebagically possible.

    --
    Security is mostly a superstition... Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. - Helen Keller
  3. Re:When I grow up by NewYorkCountryLawyer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want to be a Special Master.

    I would like to be a Jedi knight.

    --
    Ray Beckerman +5 Insightful
  4. Re:Future cases by NewYorkCountryLawyer · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's a loss leader.

    They make it up on the volume.

    --
    Ray Beckerman +5 Insightful