RIAA to 'punish' lawyer for fighting lawsuits
updated 12:00 pm EDT, Thu September 18, 2008
RIAA Punishing Defense
The RIAA has filed a motion (PDF) in an attempt to silence an outspoken lawyer defending the targets of its anti-piracy lawsuits. Calling many of his actions "overzealous," the American music industry group accuses New York attorney Ray Beckerman of frustrating its attempts to sue Marie Lindor and other defendants for allegedly sharing music online and violating individual music labels' copyrights.
The RIAA particularly asks for sanctions against Beckerman for having engaged in what the group perceives as a "bad faith" PR campaign through his blog, which has developed a reputation for exposing questionable RIAA legal tactics that include using unlicensed investigators to find data or using the threat of expensive litigation to earn no-contest settlements from the accused. The defense lawyer's postings of official legal rulings and others' articles are meant to "embarass" the RIAA, according to the motion.
The representatives for the RIAA also argue that Beckerman's in-court motions, such as efforts exclude questionable evidence, avoid deposing children, and produce information on a contract deal with controversial investigation firm MediaSentry, have all unnecessarily delayed the legal process. Lindor also figures prominently in the sanction request and is accused of having lied about certain facts in her case, up to and including an assertion that she didn't have Internet access of her own at the time of the supposed file sharing.
Beckman has said only that the RIAA move is "frivolous and irresponsible," though a lawyer currently engaged in a counter-suit against the music organization describes the approach as hypocritical. Attorney Lory Lybeck of Washington state charges the RIAA itself with running its own PR campaign that attempts to intimidate file sharers by sending "threatening" letters that in some cases have targeted known innocents. [via Wired]
RIAA really wishes...
09/18, 12:12pm reply
he was working for them and their bully tactics. RIAA can dish it out, but can't take it. Boo hoo...
rvhernandez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
overzealous?
09/18, 12:15pm reply
Pot->kettle->black
how dare defendants fight back against RIAA bully tactics, they should just bend over and take it!
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
whiny b*******
09/18, 12:17pm reply
all the things RIAA is complaining about, are things any tenacious, aggressive attorney should be doing... aggressively defending their client.
It's not like he is stalking RIAA executives at their homes or anything like that. RIAA should STFU. The more I read s*** like this, the more I am motivated to fire up my bittorrent client.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Hello, Adolph?
09/18, 12:44pm reply
Is Hitler running the RIAA? Their attitude is absolutely bombastic!
loudpedal
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
it is his duty
09/18, 01:04pm reply
The defense lawyer's duty is to defend to the best of his ability using any and all legal tactics.
The RIAA is a bunch of ***holes.
chadpengar
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Joined: Oct 2001
totally confused...
09/18, 01:08pm reply
...So the RIAA has filed a motion to stop a lawyer defending his clients by any means necessary? Oh...I geddit, by any means necessary only applies to those initiating litigation and not those defending. Silly me!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
litigation, like politics
09/18, 01:36pm reply
ain't beanbag.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Hitler
09/18, 02:01pm reply
I have more respect for Hitler then the RIAA.
Athens
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2003
delay
09/18, 03:15pm reply
and produce information on a contract deal with controversial investigation firm MediaSentry, have all unnecessarily delayed the legal process.
Yes, because what we know of legal firms of large multi-national companies and groups, they would never dream of performing any type of actions that would cause long and undue delays on legal matters.
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000
idiot posters here
09/18, 03:20pm reply
It's very easy to compare anything or anyone to Hitler, but doing so just makes you a MORON. Get a brain, please.
Yes, the RIAA has murdered 12 million people (including millions of children) in gas chambers, then stole the stole the metal tooth fillings from the dead bodies; and all this after working them nearly to death in labor camps.
The RIAA is mean, even criminal, but please stop the Hitler comparisons. It just makes you look like the idiot you are.
elroth
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Joined: Jul 2006