RIAA Accused of Extortion
The RIAA - the group that is so reviled by owners and consumers of intellectual property alike, is accused in court of extortion, conspiracy, computer fraud, trespass, and basic evil.
The accusations are being made as a counterclaim in a suit initiated by the RIAA in Tampa, Florida. Check it:
In the case of UMG v. Del Cid, the defendant has filed the following five (5) counterclaims against the RIAA, under Florida, federal, and California law:
1. Trespass
2. Computer Fraud and Abuse (18 USC 1030)
3. Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices (Fla. Stat. 501.201)
4. Civil Extortion (CA Penal Code 519 & 523)
5. Civil Conspiracy involving (a) use of private investigators without license in violation of Fla. Stat. Chapter 493; (b) unauthorized access to a protected computer system, in interstate commerce, for the purpose of obtaining information in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (a)(2)(C);
(c) extortion in violation of Ca. Penal Code §§ 519 and 523; and (d) knowingly collecting an unlawful consumer debt, and using abus[ive] means to do so, in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
, 15 U.S.C. § 1692a et seq. and Fla. Stat. § 559.72 et seq.
Sounds about right. Reap what you sow, and all that.