Mass. student's $675,000 song-sharing fine upheld [View all]

[n2doc]

BOSTON (AP) — A $675,000 verdict against a former Boston University student who illegally downloaded and shared songs on the Internet has been upheld.

A jury ordered Providence, R.I., resident Joel Tenenbaum to pay $22,500 for each of 30 songs after the Recording Industry Association of America sued him on behalf of four record labels.

Tenenbaum argued the $675,000 award violates his due process rights because it’s not tied to the injury he caused. He estimates that to be no more than $450, or the cost of 30 albums.

A federal appeals court Tuesday found Tenenbaum’s conduct was ‘‘egregious’’ because he illegally shared songs for years despite numerous warnings.

The U.S. Supreme Court last year declined to hear Tenenbaum’s appeal.

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http://www.boston.com/news/education/2013/06/25/mass-student-song-sharing-fine-upheld/IaQRVerwgkCIxeEWktfLlL/story.html