DoJ backs $1.92M against Thomas

The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a statement at the end of last week standing behind a whopping $1.92 M fine against Jammie Thomas.

Thomas went through several lawsuits and court cases with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), eventually losing, leading to the large fine.  In the original trial, the RIAA was awarded a total of $220,000 -- Thomas' attorneys argued for a new trial, which she lost and was eventually hit with the fine.

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Thomas' attorneys are now seeking a third jury trial, claiming the current fine is unconstitutionally high.

piracyThe outcome is not a surprise, as Pres. Barack Obama has several former RIAA executives as advisors in his new government.  There was concern their presence would allow fines like this to stand without much scrutiny, though that's a topic Thomas' attorneys will skip over while preparing for a third trial.

I expect Thomas to get her third trial, but I have a strong suspicion she'll lose and still have to pay an unusually high amount.  The RIAA has avoided trials with all but two people accused of copyright infringement, and are looking to make an example out of the two who decided to stand up against them.

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