Ashbel S. Green
An Oregon federal magistrate has awarded nearly $108,000 to a Beaverton single mother who said the recording industry falsely accused her of illegally downloading music.
The money represents Tanya Andersen's attorney fees and costs in successfully fighting a lawsuit filed by the recording industry against her.
The attorney fee award is separate from a national class action lawsuit Andersen filed against the recording industry last year.
Andersen's legal battle with the Recording Industry Association of America has gained national attention as a case of David vs. Goliath. Her suit accuses the industry of a waging a "campaign of threat and intimidation" against her and others who have never illegally downloaded music.
"While we respectfully disagree with the magistrate judge's decision to award extraneous fees -- including on counterclaims that the defendant herself brought and dropped -- it is important to note this decision is only a recommendation and falls significantly short of defendant's requests. We will likely file an objection in short order," said Cara Duckworth director of communications for the Recording Industry Association of America.
The recording industry has taken legal steps against thousands of people suspected of illegally downloading music since 2003.
The industry sued Andersen in 2005, but dropped the case last year after failing to turn up evidence that she illegally downloaded music.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingn...108000_ag.html