University student fined for illegal downloads

A Boston University student sued by record companies for sharing 30 copyrighted music files over peer-to-peer networks on the internet has been ordered to pay $US675,000 for his crimes.

A federal jury in Boston awarded the four record companies $US22,500 per track, well below the maximum fine of $US150,000 per track, coming to $US4.5 million in total.

Joel Tenenbaum’s lawyer, Charles Nesson, told the Associated Press he would appeal the decision. Tenenbaum himself said if the decision is not overruled then he will have to declare bankruptcy.

Tenenbaum was accused by the record companies of downloading 30 songs, but actually admitted to downloading hundreds of files over the Kazaa software client.

Nesson argued that Tenenbaum had done nothing wrong and that he was simply doing what kids do on the internet. The record companies countered by claiming other types of artists, including back up singers and musicians, had been hurt by the illegal downloading of songs.