[Steve_Seattle]

" . . . so why is this so shocking?"

Upon further reflection, I'll answer my own question: the media is emphasizing this girl to make the music industry look bad. I'm surprised how many people in FR are taking the view that the theft of proprietary material is ok.

[cyborg]

I think price gouging customers is a crime as well... Why is this fight being fought by hasbeen artists anyway? Hmm....

[Jack Wilson]

I'm surprised how many people in FR are taking the view that the theft of proprietary material is ok.

I'm with you. I'm disappointed.

[sox_the_cat]

"I'm surprised how many people in FR are taking the view that the theft of proprietary material is ok"

So any proprietary material that is saved on a hard drive is a crime? Any article that you may have saved on your hard drive or any photo is a crime?

Wouldn't that make most internet users criminals? If I've got a 1993 photo of Bill Clinton saved from the Boston Globe or a 2001 Boston Herald Column by Howie Carr on my hard drive does the Boston Globe or Boston Herald have a case against me?

[HAL9000]

Upon further reflection, I'll answer my own question: the media is emphasizing this girl to make the music industry look bad. I'm surprised how many people in FR are taking the view that the theft of proprietary material is ok.

The point you are missing is that the penalties for this crime are out of all reasonable proportion. Fining a 12-year-old girl $150,000 for each song is ridiculous.

If I was on the jury, I'd award RIAA fifty cents per song - and no court costs or attorney fees.