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Woman May Get New Trial in File-Sharing Conviction

Judge says he gave faulty instructions

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 16, 2008 10:55 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The judge who presided over America's first music file-sharing trial might call for a do-over, the AP reports. A Minnesota mom was penalized $222,000 for illegal dowloads last fall, but the judge has since discovered that he may have issued faulty jury instructions. That's because a 1993 ruling said a copyright is broken only when copies are disseminated—and it doesn't appear proof of that was presented.

 

Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney after the jury returned a verdict against her in civil trial for alleged music pirating
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney after the jury returned a verdict against her in civil trial for alleged music pirating   (AP Photo/Julia Cheng)
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., seen here in a 2007 file photo, was fined $222,000 over the illegal sharing of 24 songs.
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., seen here in a 2007 file photo, was fined $222,000 over the illegal sharing of 24 songs.   (AP Photo/Julia Cheng, File)
America's first P2P file-sharing trial might be getting a do-over after the judge realized his instructions to the jury may have been mistaken.
America's first P2P file-sharing trial might be getting a do-over after the judge realized his instructions to the jury may have been mistaken.   (Shutter Stock)
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music downloads • file sharing • RIAA • download • Jammie Thomas • P2P • copyright infringement • illegal downloading

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