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US file-sharer refuses donations | |
(2 days later) | |
A US student ordered to pay $675,000 (£404,000) for sharing music online has refused help paying the fine. | |
Over the weekend supporters had begun to donate money to Boston University student Joel Tenenbaum who was found guilty of sharing 30 songs. | |
In a blog post Mr Tenenbaum said: "I ask no one to help me. And I ask for no one to cover what I signed up for." | |
He said any money raised so far would be used to pay expenses to his legal team, many of whom worked for free. | |
"I shared music. I was the one who wanted a say in court. This lawsuit was against me. This is my verdict," wrote Mr Tenenbaum. | |
Mr Tenenbaum was ordered to pay the money to four record labels. | |
Supporters had begin to donate money, he said, after news of his fine spread around the social networking site Twitter. Around $2000 had been raised before Mr Tenenbaum wrote his blog. | |
"We don't want the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) to be paid when I can't afford to do it, and this money could be more valuable elsewhere," the blog post said. | |
"From the money raised already, I would like to reimburse my legal team for the money they've spent out of their own pockets." | |
In a different post, he said that he would "declare bankruptcy" if his appeal against the fine was not successful. | |
'Giant library' | |
The case is only the second of its kind to go to trial in the US. | |
In the first case, a woman in Minneapolis was ordered to pay $1.92m for sharing 24 songs. | In the first case, a woman in Minneapolis was ordered to pay $1.92m for sharing 24 songs. |
On Friday, the jury ordered Mr Tenebaum to pay $22,500 for each infringement. The maximum that he could have been fined was $4.5m. | On Friday, the jury ordered Mr Tenebaum to pay $22,500 for each infringement. The maximum that he could have been fined was $4.5m. |
Mr Tenenbaum used a computer at his parents' home and at his college to download and distribute digital files. | Mr Tenenbaum used a computer at his parents' home and at his college to download and distribute digital files. |
It was like this giant library in front of you Joel Tenenbaum | It was like this giant library in front of you Joel Tenenbaum |
Prosecutors working on behalf of the record labels focused on 30 shared songs from artists such as Nirvana and Green Day. | |
Under US law, the recording companies are entitled to $750 to $30,000 per infringement. | Under US law, the recording companies are entitled to $750 to $30,000 per infringement. |
However, the jury can raise the amount to $150,000 per track if it finds the infringements were wilful. | |
In the Minnesota case, the jury awarded $80,000 per song. | In the Minnesota case, the jury awarded $80,000 per song. |
On the stand, Mr Tenenbaum admitted that he had downloaded more than 800 songs since 1999. | |
"I used the computer. I uploaded, I downloaded music," he told the court under questioning from his own lawyer, Charles Nesson. | "I used the computer. I uploaded, I downloaded music," he told the court under questioning from his own lawyer, Charles Nesson. |
He said he had used Napster and then Kazaa to download the files. | He said he had used Napster and then Kazaa to download the files. |
"It was like this giant library in front of you," he said. | "It was like this giant library in front of you," he said. |
'Got off easy' | |
In opening remarks, Mr Tenenbaum's lawyer said he "was a kid who did what kids do and loved technology and loved music". | |
Recording companies had been slow to adapt to the internet, he added. | Recording companies had been slow to adapt to the internet, he added. |
But prosecutors argued that file-sharers take a significant toll on the revenues for artists and others involved in music | But prosecutors argued that file-sharers take a significant toll on the revenues for artists and others involved in music |
The recording industry has recently changed its tactics in file-sharing cases, preferring to settle quickly for much smaller amounts. | The recording industry has recently changed its tactics in file-sharing cases, preferring to settle quickly for much smaller amounts. |
However, cases such as those against Mr Tenenbaum, which were already filed, are proceeding to trial. | However, cases such as those against Mr Tenenbaum, which were already filed, are proceeding to trial. |
The four recording labels involved in the case are subsidiaries of Universal Music, Warner Music and Sony. | The four recording labels involved in the case are subsidiaries of Universal Music, Warner Music and Sony. |
Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe said Mr Tenenbaum had "got off easy" compared to the Minnesota case. | Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe said Mr Tenenbaum had "got off easy" compared to the Minnesota case. |