View this article at: http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/08/14/riaa.ruling.sets.precedent/

Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 5:20pm

Judgment against RIAA prece...

The newest development surrounding the long-lasting case of one Tanya Andersen and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), sees the single mother turning the tables on the RIAA, countersuing, and winning. Fearing the worst, the RIAA offered Andersen a $30,000 settlement, which she refused, then upped it $60,000 to the same effect before being ordered to pay nearly $108,000 by a judge and setting a precedent.

Andersen and her laywers, Lory Lybeck and Ben Justus, have opened the door in their efforts for more countersuits against the RIAA, which has been accused of bullying alleged illegal downloaders of copyrighted content into paying settlements to get rid of the lawsuits the RIAA slapped on them. Andersen's successful countersuit for the RIAA's frivolous lawsuit has earned her a court-ordered payment of $107,951.03, including $117.03 of interest, in attorneys' fees.

The RIAA represents music labels Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony BMG.

The next step for Andersen is to join a class-action suit against the RIAA that accuses the conglomerate of violating federal anti-racketeering laws by pressuring the accused into settlements rather than face costly jury trials to defend themselves.