CNET News Daily Podcast: What's next for file-sharer Jammie Thomas?

On Thursday a high-profile verdict was reached when Jammie Thomas-Rasset was found guilty of willful copyright infringement for sharing some copyrighted songs online. CNET News reporter Greg Sandoval joins us to talk about what Thomas-Rasset's options are now.

Also in the podcast, the iPhone 3G S went on sale for the first time Friday, and CNET News was there to cover the action live. Google and Facebook rushed out Farsi versions of their respective services to provide communication amid Iran's post-election turbulence, RIM continues to do well despite a sagging economy, and Microsoft puts the kibosh on a new Xbox 360 anytime soon.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Today's stories:

Smaller crowds queue up for iPhone 3G S on first day

Jammie Thomas must pay RIAA $1.92 million

Google, Facebook rush Iranian language support

RIM posts strong results on BlackBerry shipments

Sony beefs up Blu-ray strategy

Microsoft: No new Xbox next year

Video: Smart Brabus Electric Drive

Crave giveaway of the week: Flip Video Mino

[anonfromed]

$2 million life-destroying penalty for what is tantamount to a de minimis shoplifting charge??

There is a simple solution to the governmental and corporate corruption that is inexorably at play here-- we boycott the the RIAA related record companies until they go out of business. We identify their crony polititicians and boot them from office. We probe those finances. No way a law like this passes without wanton corruption. Time to find the real crooks.

[lawsonmusicmedia]

The punishment does not fit the crime and is, I believe, unconstitutional because of its excess.

[Jlmc727]

I would truly like to see the transcript of the court case, was she coopertive in court? Was her attorney trying to make a name for himself? Something ticked off the Juriors to come up with that size a fine. Agreed the fine is in excess even if she was convicted of provideing all 1700 songs for downloading to all the Kaza users.

[jmonty--2008]

I'm not sure that you can blame the jury here. They don't get to make decisions on how to interpret the law. They get choices like:
- Did the defendant break the law(y/n)?
- Does the crime meet the criteria the $1.92M fine (y/n)?
They probably were not allowed to say "oh, let's just fine her $50K because that seems more reasonable."

[cerebral_but_dull]

File sharing like this is wrong, but so is running a stop sign. The cops don't get to pick one stop sign violator in all of America and fine them $1.8 million dollars. It is outrageous. Unfortunately, the big-money RIA controls congress and copyright law. I will buy no music -- either CDs, or iTunes, or anything else -- for the month of July. If enough others take the pledge, the message will be heard.

[theremin-barney]

I wonder if any lawyers or musicians have ever considered suing SoundExchange for the same copyright violations. SoundExchange is the organization set up by the RIAA to collect the fees from internet radio stations, many of which were put out of business by the raise in fees recently. The issue is that I, like many other musicians, have either put out our music for free or have not copyrighted it with any member of the idiotic RIAA, nor have I ever authorized them act in any way on my behalf. Still they continue to collect fees, in effect charging internet radio stations fees, to play my music. I'm sure I'm not alone in this respect. It might be an interesting case should someone pursue it.

[earlofgome]

It is a sad day when big corperations can destroy a family over music. I will never buy music on the internet. It is very bad when said corperation has to make millions from private indivauls who love music thru actions like this. Congress members really are showing their true colors. Maybe its time for RIAA to join with reallity. We the people make you what you are. We the people can boycott you as well. no more money!!!