So we opened the week with the great news that a major label band (Radiohead, you may have heard of them) had embraced this new exciting digital market, so chock full of opportunity, and released their album for…whatever you feel it’s worth. We end the week with a major blow to file sharing as the first person to challenge the RIAA in court was effectively handed her ass to the tune of $220,000. This seems a bit excessive, but that is the penalty for not simply caving in and paying an out of court settlement. Here is a quote from the article linked below which outlines an important part of today’s decision.

A key ruling during the trial undercut the defendant’s case. U.S. District Judge Michael Davis ruled that the prosecution didn’t have to prove that other Kazaa users downloaded copyrighted files from Thomas’ file. The recording industry merely had to demonstrate that she made them available for sharing.

The industry is changing, some are embracing this, while others continue to wallow in the quicksand shooting arrows blindly into the forest…today they probably ruined this lady’s life for a good while, meanwhile I’m pretty sure there is the same amount of file sharing going on tonite…

Chicago Tribune Blog- Music fan liable for $220,000 after losing landmark lawsuit to record industry

*Here is a followup link with some great details on the case, and why she lost.*
ARS Technica- How the RIAA tasted victory: a perfect storm which might not be repeated