“Does $75 trillion even exist? The thirteen record companies that are suing file-sharing company Lime Wire for copyright infringement certainly thought so. When they won a summary judgment ruling last May they demanded damages that could reach this mind-boggling amount, which is more than five times the national debt. Manhattan federal district court judge Kimba Wood, however, saw things differently. She labeled the record companies’ damages request ‘absurd’ and contrary to copyright laws in a 14-page opinion.” Wait, this is only five time the US national debt? Fascinating.
was about to comment “In an effort to make the US national debt look like chump change the US Music Industry Demands $75 Trillion from LimeWire…”
In other news…In order to pay its debt, LimeWire considers paid subscriptions
Don’t worry; the US National Debt is quickly catching up.
“Does $75 trillion even exist?”
“Wait, this is only five time the US national debt?”
Nice!
I would’ve gone for a whole $1 bazillion, though.
75 trillion is only the beginning. One of the CEO of the music industry needs a pair of new lungs, another needs a liver and a kidney. The organs will be taken from the accused by court order.
On the positive side, the coke dealers and hookers can look forward to some repeat customers in the future,
That would work out at about $242 918.49 per US citizen
or
$10 806 093.83 per Limewire user (if you take the estimate of 3.5% US Limewire usage versus total amount of US internet users) …dont know if 3.5% is credible though
Edited 2011-03-23 22:53 UTC
The record companies haven’t factored in that 99% of the copywrited content on Limewire are actually mislabled pr0n and malware.
In fact, Limewire seems to do a better job at breaking users computers than DRM and Sony’s rootkits – so really the recording industry should be thanking Limewire rather than suing them. :p
Or $12,500 per human being on the planet. Most of them will never see that much in their whole life. If I was the judge, I would dismiss the whole case and instead put to jail all music company execs and lawyers just for the demand.
I can almost see this discussion taking place…
– “Here is the plan. We get the warhead and we hold the world ransom for… 1 MILLION DOLLARS!”
– “Don’t you think we maybe should ask for more than a million dollars? 1 million dollars isn’t exactly a lot of money these days.”
– “Really? So… okay than… we hold the world ransom for… 75 TRILLION DOLLARS!”
You beat me to the Dr Evil comment.
I didn’t spend six years in evil medical school to be called ‘Mister’, thank you very much!
Just when you think big media can’t make any more of an ass of themselves… At least this time, even our idiotic courts realized how stupid this was. Record people, you might have to aim lower… try 74 trillion next, ok?
I don’t believe $75 trillion does exist world wide…… however if it did, and limewire had it…… the US government should impose a 50% lawsuit tax on the music industry and pay off the national debt lol.
You know, it only just occurred to me to look that up.
Apparently “compensatory” lawsuit awards are not taxable? WTF?!
Now I’m starting to understand why they love this business model so much.
Nice… Something tells me that they don’t use post tax values when calculating damages.
It makes perfect sense to not tax compensatory lawsuits.
This is NOT a compensatory lawsuit, if I’m not mistaken. I believe the figure would be considered punitive, and thus taxed at the highest rates.
–The loon
FFS! This is not only 5 times US GDP, but 18trilion more than worlds GDP!!!
How can someone cause that much “loss” without killing any people or destroying any property?
Ca you spell “idiotic laws, make idiotic claims” kids?
Edited 2011-03-24 03:12 UTC
the next big stock market crash around the corner
the fed printing money
a trillian $ will probably be a regular salary in 2012
Considering the county government has frozen salary increases for the next two fiscal years, I’d say I will still be making ~$28,000 in 2012.
And yes, I really do only make $28k at my full time job, though the excellent benefits package brings that closer to $33k in total value. I also work a part time job and do contract work on the side, and I am a single guy living a spartan lifestyle on the edge of the Atlanta metro area. Welcome to America.
ouch man, ouch.
I only make $12k. But I’m parttime almost student that doesnt pay rent or utilities.. yet :p
Clearly the RIAA knows they will not get 75 trillion dollars out of Limewire, they’re probably just trying to intimidate them into a final settlement. I’m sure if Limewire simply offers them a trillion or two, they can make this whole thing go away.
If enough law makers see how ludicrous this figure is, and recognize that this figure is the amount the law would actually permit rewarding for the minimal harm caused by limewire… THEN something may get done…
Then again, those law makers would probably just change professions to try and get a chunk of that change…
Oh wait… they already are!
–The loon
What the US needs is a system like we have in my country. You can sue anybody for any sum you can prove, but you need to pay up front 10% of the amount you are asking (which you then add also to the original claim) as a fee (which goes to the government). Thats why we rarely get lawsuits asking for more than a hundred thousand EUR.
Reminds me of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxVivkXUfdU
Yeah, thought of the same, too…
Thank you America, for being an endless source of hilariously entertaining stupidity.
I used to get angered by comments like this. It is more true now than ever, though. I am still having a hard time laughing at it all.