Music Pirate (12-year-old girl sued for downloading music)

NY Post ^ | September 9, 2003 -- | Lorena Mongelli

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The music industry has turned its big legal guns on Internet music-swappers - including a 12-year-old Upper West Side girl who thought downloading songs was fun.

Brianna LaHara said she was frightened to learn she was among the hundreds of people sued yesterday by giant music companies in federal courts around the country.

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Asked if the association knew Brianna was 12 when it decided to sue her, Weiss answered, "We don't have any personal information on any of the individuals."

The fact that she looks like she’s in her mid-forties probably threw them off.

[BenLurkin]

Look out. Soon there will be posters defending this little . . .

[Michael Barnes]

heh-heh

[rs79bm]

What a disgrace the RIAA is becoming. Actually, stories like these will hurt their business instead of help it. I mean, 12 years old, come on give me a break.

[danneskjold]

"It's not like we were doing anything illegal," said Torres.

I wonder how many songs she downloaded...

[eabinga]

You see, downloading music is just a gateway crime. By the time this girl is 18, she'll be robbing liquor stores, and in her 20's she'll be doing banks!

[BrooklynGOP]

There'll be a huge backlash over there. RIAA is shooting themselves in the foot.

[HELLRAISER II]

Why shouldn't they defend her, my kid uploaded songs before we were aware there was any copy right infringement as well. As soon as I knew there were legal implications I told my kids not to do it anymore, period. So is there a law suit waiting on me and other law abiding parents? This is Bull $hit!

[HELLRAISER II]

I wonder to, are they going after anybody that's ever done it or are they after people that did it after a certain date or are they going after people that have downloaded 1000's of songs?

[danneskjold]

I wonder to, are they going after anybody that's ever done it or are they after people that did it after a certain date or are they going after people that have downloaded 1000's of songs?

I believe they are going after the most egregious downloaders, and only the ones that were online and sharing files after a certain date...

[Publius6961]

You see, downloading music is just a gateway crime. By the time this girl is 18, she'll be robbing liquor stores, and in her 20's she'll be doing banks!

Why wait?
Now is the best time.

Dozens of dorks and every other crook who posts here regularly will rush to defend her.

[HELLRAISER II]

I hope that's true, my kids have done it but I never have. I'd hate to be sued because of something they've done, especially since I don't think that it's right to begin with.

[HELLRAISER II]

I'm curious, why do you feel so strongly about the issue. Don't get me wrong, they said they're going to sue so that's good enough for me not to do it. But I hardly consider my children theives just because they did it a few times.

[chudogg]

I wonder to, are they going after anybody that's ever done it or are they after people that did it after a certain date or are they going after people that have downloaded 1000's of songs?

If you have purchased the CD you are allowed to download a song for your personal use. So if someone was charged with downloading a couple songs they could just purchase the CD and bring it to court with them. But if you downloaded thousands of songs, it would be much cheaper to settle with them.

[plain talk]

this little ... what?

[Roughneck]

The 12 year old can not be sued (thats propoganda from the "were stupid so were entitled" club) Her parents can and should be since they are responsible for what goes on in their house, or for crimes committed by under-age children.

Theft is theft. The girl should have been brought up better than to steal. Funny, I've seen all age groups saying they "did not know" that theft was illegal . . .

Sue em!

[Steve_Seattle]

I don't think there is anything noteworthy about her being 12. Kids that age do a lot of shoplifting and petty-thievery, so why is this so shocking?

[PaxMacian]

To debtors prison for these criminals.
Or, better yet, make them slaves for the rest of their lives to the RIAA.
What hath God wrought?

[dfwgator]

You see, downloading music is just a gateway crime. By the time this girl is 18, she'll be robbing liquor stores, and in her 20's she'll be doing banks!

Or heaven forbid, she might even start smoking.

[Puppage]

So, what's the difference between this, and taking a book out from the library?

And, before anyone says "well, the books been paid for" so has the cd/song that someone is downloading.