May 16th, 2009
Thomas seeks new counsel, RIAA brooks no delay
The lawyer for Jammie Thomas, the only person to actually go to trial on an RIAA copyright infringement case, is withdrawing from the case, Ray Beckerman reports. Amazingly, RIAA lawyers are fighting Thomas’ request for a continuance to seek new counsel. Apparently, RIAA thinks they can only win this thing if Thomas is forced to defend herself.
But nothing is amazing when it comes to RIAA lawyers, Beckerman says:
Coming from any other attorneys in the world, it would be beyond belief that the plaintiffs’ attorneys would object to a continuance. Only RIAA lawyers would do that. I predict that the judge will grant Ms. Thomas a reasonable continuance notwithstanding the RIAA’s objection. To you law students and young lawyers out there, the RIAA’s refusal to permit a reasonable continuance in a situation like this is not acceptable behavior by an attorney at law. Were I the judge I would impose Rule 11 sanctions
Any trial attorneys willing to take on Thomas’s high-visibility case? Contact Ray at ray@beckermanlegal.com. I will volunteer to provide remote research and drafting support from California.
