Fears that she might win
The
lawyer for Jammie Thomas, the only person to actually go to trial on an RIAA
copyright infringement case, is quitting from the case.
Normally the other
side would allow the case down to be stood down for a month or two while the
person finds another pro-bono lawyer. However it seems that the RIAA is
terrified that they will lose this appeal and is playing ugly.
They are
objecting to Thomas getting another lawyer and are demanding that the woman
defend herself against the most expensive lawyers the RIAA can field. It is
unlikely that the any Judge in the case would agree to let the RIAA get its way
on this point so it is really pointless them making it. However it is further
proof that the outfit really has no concept of PR and will probably motivate
hundreds of people to make a stand by pirating another DVD.
However some US
lawyers are starting to wonder if the fact that it objected to Thomas getting
legal advice for her appeal is grounds for unacceptable behaviour by an attorney
at law and could get the outfit sanctioned.