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Jury Almost Fined $3.6M in Download Trial

Woman could have paid $150k for each of 24 songs shared on Kazaa

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The jury that last week slapped a Minnesota mom with a $222,000 fine for illegal file-sharing was tempted to do much worse. Jammie Thomas almost faced the maximum $3.6 million, one juror said. “You go too low, it's not going to stop the illegal downloading of music,” she told the AP. “People are going to think, ‘I could do this.’”

The jury quickly determined Thomas’ guilt, the juror said, and during deliberations focused on the penalty—between $750 and $150,000 per each of 24 songs. The jury never discussed the verdict’s effect on Thomas, who makes $36,000 a year. “You can't allow yourself to get involved emotionally,” the juror said.

Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney, Brian Toder of Minneapolis after the jury returned a verdict against her on the third and final day of her civil trial for alleged music pirating through illegal sharing of song files in Duluth, Minn., Thursday, Oct....
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., left, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorney, Brian Toder of Minneapolis after the jury returned a verdict against her on the third and final day of her civil...   (Associated Press)
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., speaks with reporters during a midday break in her civil trial in federal court in Duluth, Minn., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. She is the defendant in a Recording Industry Association of America lawsuit. (AP Photo/Julia Cheng)
Jammie Thomas of Brainerd, Minn., speaks with reporters during a midday break in her civil trial in federal court in Duluth, Minn., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. She is the defendant in a Recording Industry...   (Associated Press)
A person downloads digital files from a computer to an iPod in Paris, in this May 9, 2006, file photo. While the vast majority of music consumers still buy CD albums, they are buying less of them, while digital tracks are exploding in the marketplace. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon/FILE)
A person downloads digital files from a computer to an iPod in Paris, in this May 9, 2006, file photo. While the vast majority of music consumers still buy CD albums, they are buying less of them, while...   (Associated Press)
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Juror calls Thomas 'a liar,' says they spent five minutes determing guilt
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Thomas website solicits donations for her defense
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music downloads • file sharing • Jammie Thomas • record industry

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