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$616.57 Three Strikes Verdict Cost RIANZ $250,000

Posted by Soulskill on from the gotta-spend-money-to-make-money! dept.

Dangerous_Minds writes "On Wednesday, we discussed news that RIANZ convicted its first file-sharer under the New Zealand three strikes law. While the fine totaled $616.57, a New Zealand Herald report points out that in order to get that fine, RIANZ had to spend $250,000. Freezenet makes an interesting point that HADOPI (France's version of the three strikes law) faced similar problems when the Socialist party commented that 12 million euros was a lot of money to pay 60 agents to send out 1 million e-mails. The question raised is whether or not this money pit trend will continue when the Copyright Alert System starts processing strike notices in the United States."

2 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Like policians care by crazyjj · · Score: 5, Informative

    Citizens see the cost situation like this:

    Cost to pursue and prosecute these cases -(is greater than)- The return in fines + the benefit to society.

    Politicians see it like this:

    Donations to my campaign from the media industries + Future support from my party -(is greater than)- Any backlash from voters about the cost

    --
    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
  2. -1, Wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative
    eh? even the fucking summary says says "RIANZ had to spend" not "the taxpayer had to spend" .. and if you rfta the first damn line:

    The local body representing big record labels claims to have spent around $250,000 chasing alleged music pirates

    then later:

    Rianz says it has sent out around 6000 notices to alleged pirates, for which the music industry body must pay a $25 fee each for internet companies to send on to their customers.

    that's $150k right there, plus $100k to employ people to hunt/send stuff and lawyers is hardly unreasonable .. how the hell is this "insightful" when it's contradicted by the summary