British Courts Find In Favor Of Recording Industry

In the first two cases of illegal file trading that went to trial in the United Kingdom, the High Court has ruled against two men, ordering them to pay damages to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The two defendants and three other individuals were accused of illegally sharing nearly 9,000 songs over the Internet. One defendant argued that there was no evidence against him. The court rejected that position and ordered him to make an initial payment of 5,000 pounds; his fine is expected to rise to at least 13,500 pounds. The other defendant said he did not know that what he was doing was illegal and pointed out that he sought no profit. A judge said that “Ignorance is not a defense” and ordered the man to make an initial payment of 1,500 pounds. The other three individuals have refused to settle and are awaiting trial.

Officials from the BPI said the rulings were a “massive step forward” in their efforts to curb illegal file trading. Many of the other defendants in BPI lawsuits have settled out of court, but more than 50 cases remain outstanding. The BPI has given those individuals a deadline of January 31 to avoid court action.

BBC, 27 January 2006