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Illegal Music Downloads: Eminem & Aerosmith Cost BU Student $675,000

By Geno McGahee

Joel Tenenbaum, a Boston University student was hit with a penalty of $675,000 for illegally downloading 31 songs and then sharing them on the internet. The lawsuit was brought by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the songs that he was accused of downloading illegally included tunes by Aerosmith and Eminem.

In 2009, the penalty was reduced to $67,500, when the judge deemed the first fine “unconstitutionally excessive,” but RIAA appealed and once again, Tenenbaum must pay the full amount.

The lawyers of Tenenbaum argued that the copyright laws and digital theft deterrence act were not meant to target the consumers, but the RIAA believes the act of illegally downloading is so bad that it merits such a high price tag.

Tenenbaum is still fighting, but he is facing a powerful foe and it will be an uphill battle.

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